
















. . ^ 'A' 

... ‘ * a' on 


« C\j 


J^- , 

^ ^ V ^ - A-iv' ^ ^ ^ 



> .V> <?* V 



z 

^ ^ ^ <\ K r ^ ft it ^ > , \ 

x _<e<\\\v^ ✓ 


y ^ ^ 



: 5,0 


\ ), > O’' 

' \V , , 0 s 0 • a'J 

\> s" M'// 



0 ^ 


■^o o'^ 




*K<^ <^- 




»■< "“a ''c. " ' \> ''V 

•* ^ ' y. 

* '7h ■'■ ^ '>^ ^ 

■^* 

,ONO, ,v.«,. 







0^ ^ A ^ 0 ^ . 

^ r -i’ A - '^, V <>• 

C.V /h ° 



l ^ 


, «/ ■^- 



0 N 0 ■’ *i.'^ ^ V ^ 

0^ <■'*“' '“o 

\0 A- (3 'f'. 

'- 0,‘i^ * iMlv.'\ ■= 

7:U 




o V A ^ vs. ^ y ^ oV 

s'^ •'0 ^ ^\ O ^ <t <t 

.0^ A' ,#\‘ir*/ -o CP\’* 



-t 'P 




^ <^* l' V^ O » c^_ > 


'f'z. V? 
















-1^// V» 

r^ ✓ .>^ 

s '' <*. -^ 0 <» X 

^'* ^ ^ \ t R 

.i.- .- */'?:. ■''' 

, * xO o . 

- - " ^ ° ’/ - -'K* * ' " ^ "/V ^ ” ” 

c <L^ o ^ "* 

^ v'^ 7 ••i''' y ^ - o 

" ^ ^ r - 

* p _0 cv \ 

-/. " 9 I ^ ” \V ^ ^ ''^x ... * 9 I ^ ^ » 

r C^ \» s /* 

« 

" V < 

^ ^ «J 

'W * 

<J. «:3 r-' «< C^ ^ ^ 




a c 
H ' 


'hh 

V' 

</> 

xP 

/' 

<v 

o 

z 

r ^ 

oV 


o 

t> 



vV s". 


.r\‘ . <■ ^ 


o 

0 t>* ^ 

c.'i- *j(J\?l.A,» yy - 

O t^/ 

^ "rt* > V tt 

<* ^ 


* 








0 N 0 ^ *■ ^ 9 , A , , o , ^ . 







*\'\ %''^ry-' j> 



“ ^<xy ^y. - 

o_ 




« *^'o. 

✓ 

^ ’>u />\ 

<1 

" '^cf' ^ 

^ X'^ '^‘ -r 

^ -c^ a“ V 

c> -y „ . ^ •» V V cJ^ ir 

\> s'*' •> 

pj / 

^ '‘ rxV^ a V ' « -y ^ ^ v'^ 

0 ^ 

' 0 /'^ : '• 

: ^0 o,. , 








THE 

BANDITTI OF TDE PRAIRIES 

A TALE 

OF the 


MISSISSIPPI VALLEY 


BY 

EDWARD BONNEY 


9 ^ ^ J > 




Chicago 

HOMEWOOD PUBLISHING COMPANY 
Publishers 


\C' 


. « 


V 




t ' ' 


4 




4 


4 * 


;* *' ■ ' ' . I. 

' • w < . 0 
*■ • • : • # 

V * 

> 




• « . »% 


I 


4 




I 


* 


* 


f 

1 

4 • 

U( vvT. . C«^ . 


6 f’04. 




» 


« 


t 

*»/ 


/ ( ,l 

< 

f < c 

f 

< 

< 

V 

c 

c 

t ( 

( 

< ( < 

c 

V 

c 



c 

c 

iC < 

c 


< 

c 

c 

( 

c 


1 t 

( 

< C ( c 

c 

c 


( 

( 

< 

( c, 

c 

( c < 

( 

( 

< 

c 

c 

c C c 


(4f < < t * i 

\ (. C f 
t C ( C C ( 

C < f f 
< < f < c ( 




i < t 
( 

( f 
t 

<. < e 




< c 

e I 
< 
c 








THE BANDITTI OF THE PRAIRIES. 


A TALE OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLE T. 


CHAPTER. I 



HE valley of the Mississippi River from its earliest set- 


tlement has been more infested with reckless and blood- 


stained men, than any other part of the country, being more 
congenial to their habits and offering the greatest induce- 
ments to follow their nefarious and dangerous trade. 

Situated as it is, of great commercial importance, and the 
river whose name it bears, together with its tributaries 
stretching four thousand miles north from the Gulf of Mex- 
ico, and draining all the country south and west of the 
great chain of Lakes, and between the Alleghany and Rocky 
Mountains, it has afforded them an unequalled chance to es- 
cape detection and pursuit, and thus wooed as it were, count- 
less villains and blood-stained, law-doomed ones to screen 
themselves in its bosom. 

Organized bands, trampling upon right, and defying all 
law human or divine, have so annoyed the peaceful and 
quiet citizens of this great valley, that in the absence of a 
sufficient judicial power the aid of “Judge Lynch” has been 
but too frequently called in, and a neighboring tree proved 
a gallows and “ a short shrift and strong cord” been the 
doom of those who have ever plead vainly for mercy at his bar. 


8 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


But this mode of summary punishment only served to 
drive those really guilty from one section of the country to 
another, changing for a time their plan of action and opera- 
tions, without, in the least, reforming or exterminating them, 
while in many instances the innocent were made to atone 
for the crime of the guilty. 

It would be useless to attempt to enumerate the thousand 
robberies and scores of murders committed from time to 
time by the organized and lawless Banditti, and our task 
shall be simply and plainly to detail the particulars of a few 
of the many committed by that portion of the gang infesting 
the country bordering on the Upper Mississippi. To track 
them plainly and fearlessly — to visit them in their most secret 
hiding places, and expose their most hidden plans, is the pur- 
pose of this narrative. Tliis will Include, fully, the particu- 
lars of the murder of Miller and Liecy in Lee County, Iowa, 
also that of Col. George Davenport at Rock Island, in 
the State of Illinois; also the pursuit, capture,' arrest, trial, 
conviction and execution of Stephen and William Hodges, 
John and Aaron Long, and Glanvill Young: the pursuit, 
arrest, and escape of Wm. Fox and Robert Birch, and con- 
viction of John Baxter, with the names and places of resi- 
dence of a large number of the gang who are yet at large 
and unsuspected, with their mode of operations in their dar- 
ing robberies and murders. 

Such is the tale we have undertaken, and we enter upon 
it fearlessly, in the firm belief that we shall be sustained and 
repaid for the time and money It has cost to procure the 
many facts here set down. At once, then, we begin. 

In the fall and winter of 1844, a large number of robber- 
ies and murders of the most daring and blood-thirsty kind, 
were committed, and yet so perfect was the organization of 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


9 


the perpetrators that all efforts to bring them to justice, proved 
abortive. So great indeed was the terror that they had in- 
spired, that the good, quiet and orderly citizens, before retir- 
ing to rest at night, made all preparations for resistance that 
were in their power, and armed to the teeth, with doors and 
windows securely barred and bolted, laid down in fear and 
trembling to wish for the return of morning again. 

Among the robberies committed was that of a stage be- 
longing to Frink, Walker & Co., near Rockford, Illinois. 
A plan had long been on foot to rob the Dixon Land Of- 
fice, and this was the end to be accomplished by the robbery 
of the' stage. It was well known to many that a large 
amount of money, received from the sales of the public land, 
was deposited there and was about to be removed. One of 
the gang, in order to ascertain the particulars and the pre- 
cise time of its removal, took occasion to ask the Receiver 
“ when he intended to go to Chicago;” that being the place 
where the deposit was to be made. The Receiver, how- 
ever, being upon his guard, and a prudent man, set the time 
one week later than he intended to start, and thereby baffled 
the preconcerted schemes of the robbers. 

At the time desiginated for making the deposit, the stage 
coach was intercepted, and a trunk taken which was sup- 
posed to contain the land office money. Nothing, however, 
of value was found in it, with the exception of some rich 
clothing. Great exertions were made to ascertain who 
were guilty, but without avail, and the caution of the Re- 
ceiver was the safeguard. 

Some time in the winter of 1844 or early in 1S45, 
rumored that a Mr. Mulford in Ogle County, had in his 
possession a large amount of money that he had recently re- 
ceived from the State of New York. This information was 


lo The Banditti of the Prairies, 

communicated to the gang by their friends at Washington 
Grove, in Ogle County, and immediate preparations were 
made by them to secure this prize, the amount of which was 
said to be about fourteen thousand dollars. 

To accomplish this it was decided to be most advisable to 
commit the robbery under the cover of night. Minute in- 
formation being necessary, one of the gang under the as- 
sumed name of Harris, visited the house for the avowed 
purpose of obtaining employment. Mr. Mulford wished to 
hire for six months, but Harris declined to engage for a 
longer term than three months, and there was some differ- 
ence in opinion between them about wages. Harris, after 
some further conversation during which he carefully looked 
around, left with a promise to call again in a few days. 
How well he kept that promise the sequel will show ! 

A few nights after this three men entered the house of 
Mr. Mulford, disguised and fully armed with pistols and 
knives. Immediately on their entrance one seized a loaded 
rifle belonging to Mulford, that was standing in one corner 
of the room, and aiming it at his head, threatened him with 
instant death if he attempted to move or speak, and at the 
same time demanded his money. His wife also, who was 
by his side, was threatened in case she attempted to give 
any alarm or raise from her pillow. 

Mr. Mulford told the robbers that he had but little money 
and where it was concealed. This, amounting to about 
four hundred dollars, they eagerly seized, and then by 
threats of instant death, attempted to make him give them 
the large sum they thought in his possession. Again and 
again he assured them that he had given them all he had 
but thinking that he was deceiving them they began 
to search the house. The one who had the rifle remained 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


II 


at the bedside of Mr. and Mrs. Mulford as a guard, another 
stationed himself at the door, while the third whom Mrs. 
Mulford recognized as Harris, searched every part of the 
house. 

Like an old and experienced hand in such matters, Har- 
ris allowed nothing to escape him, and even went so far as 
to bring several large cakes of tallow from the cellar and 
cut each completely apart, with a stroke of his large bowie 
knife, in order to satisfy himself that they did not contain 
money.. A bureau in the room of Mrs. Mulford contained 
a large quantity of linen neatly folded and arranged, and 
this also was carefully searched by Harris, who shook each 
piece out to see that no money was secreted in it, and then 
threw it carelessly upon the floor. 

Notwithstanding the perilous situation in which she was 
placed, and with death surrounding her on every side, Mrs. 
Mulford could not quietly see her linen, after the trouble 
it had cost her to arrange it, thrown into such disorder, and 
careless of the result, addressed the robber : 

“ Ml'. Harris,” said she, “ you conduct yourself very dif- 
ferently from what you did the other day when you wished 
to obtain employment.” 

The unveiled robber sprang to his feet with a loud oath 
surprised at the daring of the defenceless and heroic woman^ 
With eyes flashing with rage he sprang to the bedside and 
drawing his bowie knife waived it above her head. 

“ Lay down and cover up your head ! If you utter another 
word while we are in the house, I will make a stain on the 
floor that will last long after you are gone!” 

Then t rning to his comrades, he continued in an under 
tone, and one in which fear was plainly distinguished. 


12 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


“ Boys, I must be missing. I’m known, and this is no 
place for me. A minute more, and I’m off.” 

The search was hastily finished, and the robbers left the 
house with the exception of Harris, who remained for a mo- 
ment behind and addressed Mr. Mulford. 

“ Old man, do you intend to follow us?” 

“ I don’t know,” was the reply. 

“ Do you intend to follow us, I say ?” 

“ I can’t tell. I have not thought about it.” 

“ You must tell. What do you say, old man?” 

“ I don’t know that it will do any good,” 

“You had better not! Take my advice and keep still. 
There are a good many of us, and you could not catch us if 
you were to try. We shall leave a man with a loaded rifle 
to guard your door, and if any one ventures out before sun- 
rise a bullet will end their prying. Good bye, old man, we 
are off, and you follow if you dare !” 

With this parting salutation the robbers left, and Mr. Mul- 
ford after remaining perfectly quiet for a short time ventured 
out doors, but could see nothing of his late and unwelcome 
visitors. In the morning he gave the alarm, and a minute 
search was made, but without avail. Nothing could be 
learned in regard to them, and after a short time the matter 
was almost forgotten in the series of depredations that fol- 
lowed. 

In the spring of 1844, a man in disguise entered the store 
of Mr. McKinney at Rockford, Illinois, during the night, 
and took from behind the counter a trunk containing about 
seven hundred dollars, with which he was about leaving, 
when the clerk, a brother of Mr. McKinney, who was sleep- 
ing on the counter, awoke, and demanded : 

“ Who is there?” 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 




“Your brother wants the trunk,” was the reply. 

“ But who are you ?” 

“ Your brother wants the trunk.” 

“ But stop! the trunk can’t go. Who sent you for it?” 

“Look here,” replied the robber, taking the clerk by the 
hand, and drawing the keen edge of a bowie knife lightly 
across his fingers: “Do you feel that? it is very sharp, and 
I do not fear to use it! Keep still and you shan’t be hurt, 
but the trunk must go P"* 

The clerk, finding that he was completely in the power of 
the ruffian, and that resistance would be vain, suffered the 
robber to depart with his prize, without molestation. Im- 
mediately, however, he alarmed the neighborhood and search 
was made, but neither the robber nor trunk could be found. 
The following day, the trunk was found a short distance 
from the store broken open and rifled of its contents, but no 
trace of the robber could be discovered — another daring and 
unatoned-for crime, to be charged to the desperate Banditti 
of the Prairies. 

In the fall of 1844, a pedlar by the name of Miller was 
robbed of a large amount of goods at Troy Grove, but as 
usual the robbers remained undetected, A short time after, 
an attempt was made to rob a man near Inlet Grove, by two 
men who entered the house at night disguised and armed. 
One of the robbers feigned lameness, and perfectly imitated 
one Bliss at Inlet Grove, and the other was recognized as 
Dewey of the same place. Both were arrested, tried and 
convicted at the Spring term of the Lee County Circuit 
Court, and furnished with lodgings and employment at the 
expense of the State for the term of three years. 

Soon after the conviction, a train of suspicious circum- 
stances led to the arrest of a man named West, at Inlet 


14 The Banditti of the P^'airies, 

Grove, for che robbery of the pedlar at Troy Grove. 
Search was made, and wonderful as it may appear, a por- 
tion of the goods were found in his house. 

West was committed to await his trial at the next term of 
the Court, but after remaining in prison a short time he of- 
fered to turn State’s evidence and disclose all he knew con- 
cerning the gang. This proposition was accepted, and he 
made what he called a full confession and disclosure, impli 
eating a large number of men who were suspected, as 
well as many who had been heretofore watched. Upon 
these disclosures, several arrests were made, and some prop- 
erty that had been before stolen, recovered. Part of the 
goods that had been taken -from the pedlar at Troy Grove 
were in the house of one Sawyer at Inlet, who was arrested, 
tried, convicted and sentenced to the Penitentiary for two 
years. 

West accused one Fox, alias Sutton, and John Baker of 
having committed the robbery at Troy Grove, and said that 
most of the goods had been secreted at Inlet Grove, and sub- 
sequently taken to Iowa. He also avowed that Fox and 
Birch, alias Blecker, alias Harris, committed the robbery 
for which Bliss and Dewey were sent to prison, and that 
the former was totally innocent, while the latter was acces- 
sory, having “ got up the sight.” He further stated, that 
Fox had robbed one Mr. Hascal, a merchant at Inlet, by en- 
tering the house during a very severe thunder storm, and 
crawling upon the floor till he reached the trunk wherein 
was deposited the money, and having secured it, left without 
being heard, although Mr. and Mrs. Hascal were lying in 
the bed aivake^ at the time. To prove this. Fox subse- 
quently stated the conversation that had passed between 
them while he was in the act of rifling the trunk 1 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


^5 


These disclosures of West led to the arrest of Bridge and 
Oliver, who were convicted as accessory to the robbery of 
Mulford, and sentenced to the Penitentiary, one for seven 
and the other for eight years. He also revealed many par- 
ticulars relative to the robbery of the stage of Messrs. F rink. 
Walker <& Co., and the plot in regard to the Dixon Land 
Office, and after attending several terms of Court as a wit- 
ness, and being instrumental in some convictions, left the 
country of his disgrace and villainy, it is thought, forever. 

In the fall of 1844, two men traveling as Mormon preach- 
ers, stopped with a man of the Mormon faith near Pekin, 
on the Illinois River, stayed several days and preached in 
the neighborhood. One of them exchanged a hundred dollar 
bill with the old man, telling him that Brigham Young 
wanted the gold to purchase materials for the temple at 
Nauvoo, that could not be obtained for any other kind of 
money. By this exchange they ascertained where the old 
man kept his money, which amounted to nearly two thou- 
sand dollars, mostly in gold, and marked it for their prey. 
After remaining a few days longer, another of their com- 
rades joined them and the three left their pious friend with 
many thanks for his hospitality, and good wishes for the 
cause of Mormonism. Little time, however, had escaped 
ere one of them returned, and entering the old man’s house 
in the night, took every cent of money he possessed, includ- 
ing the hundred dollar bill he had kindly exchanged for 
them, and made his escape undiscovered. 

Early in the spring of 1845, three men carefully dis- 
guised, entered the dwelling of a Norwegian family in Lee 
County, Iowa, during the dark hours of night, fully armed 
and prepared for robbery and bloodshed. With fearful oaths 
and imprecations, thej demanded money. The terrified 


i6 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


family gave the robbers all they possessed, but 'which, how- 
ever, amounted to but a few dollars. Disbelieving the word 
of the terrified ones, they proceeded to search the house, but 
without success, and having found a quantity of provisions 
ready cooked, they supped with much composure, and then, 
taking a quantity of clothing, left the house. 

Soon after this, a Mr. Smith was robbed in a similar man- 
ner, in the same county, and apparently (from their opera- 
tions) by the same band, and yet no clue could be obtained 
as to who they were, although Mr. Smith and his family 
were confident that they could recognize the robbers if they 
could see them. 

Briefly have we sketched a few of the most daring rob- 
beries that were successfully carried through in the surround- 
ing country, and that but to relate the facts^ without em- 
bellishment, and now turn to what is of deeper interest, pray- 
ing patience for the uninteresting style of our narrative. 


CHAPTER 11. 


THE MORMONS. 


AUVOO, the head-quarters of the Mormon chief and 



J. >1 his satellites, had already increased to a population of 
sixteen or eighteen thousand. The great temple, which by 
the way, was built for the purpose of a fort or stronghold, 
was in process of erection, and rapidly being pushed on 
towards completion. Like the old established system of 
England, each member was required, aye, even compelled 
to give one-tenth of all he possessed, and annually thereafter 
give one-tenth of their income to the leaders of the church* 
The male members were also required to labor one-tenth of 
the time upon the temple or pay an equivalent therefor, in 
case of failure in money, to the amount of such labor to the 
temple committee. A rod of iron — a scepter of might was 
held constantly over their heads to enforce these things, and 
woe betide the man who dare disobey the arbitrary man- 
dates of that church militant. 

While the Mormons were rapidly increasing in numbers, 
and daily increasing their power and wealth, the country 
around was suffering severely from a succession of robberies 
almost without a parallel in the annals of crime. Stock of 
every description and goods of all kinds were constantly 
taken, and all in the vicinity trembled lest they like their 


l8 T'he Banditti of the Prairies, 

neighbors, might be stripped of their all without a hope di 
restoration or revenge. 

The offenders were frequently tracked in the direction of 
Nauvoo, and sometimes, though rarely, the property was 
recovered, but in no case could the perpetrators of the crime 
be arrested and brought to justice. In case of an arrest at^ 
Nauvoo the accused were immediately released by the city' 
authorities, and the cry of ^'‘Persecution against the ^ 
Saints'' raised, eftectually drowning the pleas for 
justice, of the injured, and the officer forced to return 
and tell the tale of defeat. This done, the fugitive 
found a safe shelter under the wide-spread wings of 
the Mormon leaders and laughed at pursuit. 

T.epeated threats were made by the robbed and injured, 
and as often answered by the cry of “ Persecution against 
the Saints!” This cry was responded to from abroad by 
those who knew nothing of the real cause of complaint, with 
sympathy for the “poor, persecuted Mormons,” and bitter 
denunciations against their persecutors who were the 7 'eal 
sufferers and 77 iost deserving of sympathy. Thus affairs 
stood while still worse grew the troubles, and the bud of 
revenge was bursting into blossom. Even among them- 
selves, the seeds of discord were planted, and bitter words 
were telling that even “ Saints” were not perfection, what- 
ever they might claim for themselves, or whoever were 
their leaders. 

In the spring of 1844, Wm. Law, a leading Mormon, 
openly charged the Prophet (Joseph Smith) with an at- 
tempt to seduce his wife. (This soon after became the 
spiritual wife doctrine, and was believed, and even preached 
to some extent by the leaders of the Mormon Church.) 
This charge was promptly denied by the Prophet, and Law 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 19 

was denounced In the most bitter terms for an alleged at- 
tempt.to slander the Prophet — the holy head of the Church, 
and as a persecutor of the Saints. Summoned by the high 
tribunal of the Church, Law appeared, refused to retract 
what he had said, and again avowed its truth, for which he 
was immediately cut off from the Church. Being a man of 
considerable influence, Law drew with him a few of the 
disaffected members of the Church, who were already tired 
of bowing in humble submission, and paying tribute to the 
Prophet Joseph, and being held the ready subjects of his 
will and pleasure. 

Among these deserters were Wilso, Law, Frank, Higby, 
Foster, and others, who determined to put the world in 
possession of their grievances, by publishing a long train of 
corruption and crimes, countenanced and practiced by the 
Prophets and heads of the Church, in which they had long 
been accomplices or accessory. In order more effectually 
to accomplish their designs and bring themselves into notice, 
they at once set about establishing a principal office at Nau- 
voo, in direct opposition to the will and special edict of the 
Prophet. 

In the month of May, A. D. 1844, the new press was put 
in operation, and the prospectus and first number of a news- 
paper published under the title of the “ Nauvoo Expositor.” 
It contained a series of charges against Joseph Smith, and 
the leading men in the church, including bigamy, adultery, 
larceny, counterfeiting, &c. In reply to this, the “Nauvoo 
Neighbor,” a newspaper printed under the direction and 
control of the Prophet, charged the dissenters from the 
Mormon faith with the same crimes, and sustained many of 
the charges by the publication of numerous affidavits, made, 
without doubt, by the Prophet’s standing 'witnesses. Each 


20 The Banditti of the Prairies, 

appeared determined to out-do the other in the promul- 
gation of slander and abuse, with which, according to their 
own stories, each had long possessed a knowledge of. If 
either were guilty of half they were accused of, the gallows 
had long been defrauded of its just dues, and earth was 
teeming with the base, the vile, and the blood-stained. 

But while the surrounding country was suffering by and 
remonstrating against the prepetration of these crimes, and 
charging them justly upon the Mormons, they with one 
united voice echoed the cry of “ Persecution for Righteous- 
ness’ sake.” Then was it that the old adage was freely 
proved, that when “ rogues fall out honest men get their 
dues.” 

Upon the issue of the first number of the “ Expositor,” 
the Prophet and his adherents determined to at once silence 
them by the destruction of the press, and the total annihila- 
tion of the office. The subject was brought before the City 
Council, and many inflammatory speeches were made, in most 
of which the members of the said Council participated. Smith, 
the Prophet, told .them “ that the time had come to strike the 
blow! That God no longer required them to submit to the 
oppression of their enemies, and that he should vote for the 
destruction of the press; that it was a nuisance, and he 
should order it destroyed as such!” 

Hiram Smith spoke in substance the same as his brother, 
and also denounced in unmeasured terms. Sharp, the editor 
of the W arsaw Signal. He said “ he would give any man 
five hundred dollars who would go into the Signal office 
with a sledge and demolish the press. That it should be 
done at all hazards, even if it took his farm to pay for it!” 

Upon calling for the vote, eleven voted for, and one 
against, declaring the Expositor a nuisance, and immediate 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 2 i 

measures were taken for carrying the ordinance of its des- 
truction into effect. This dissenting vote was a Mr. War- 
ring, and the only anti-Mormon in the Council, and little 
was he regarded by the hot-headed ones who were bent on 
destruction. 

The City Marshal, acting under the orders of the Coun- 
cil, raised a force of several hundred men, headed by Gen. 
Dunham of the Nauvoo Legion, armed with clubs, &c., and 
proceeded to the printing office. Meeting with no resis- 
tance, they entered the office, took the blank paper and 
other materials and burned them in the street, pied the type, 
and taking the press into the street, broke it into pieces with 
hammers. 

This done, they repaired to the house of the Prophet, who 
addressed them in terms of praise, applauding them for their 
services, and telling them that they had but done their duty 
and upheld the law. In return he was loudly cheered by 
the mob, after which they quietly and immediately dispersed. 
Some of the leaders, however, remained and congratulated 
each other upon their success, and the downfall of the power 
of their enemies. Foremost among them was the Marshall, 
who thus addressed the Prophet: 

“ General, this is the happiest hour of my life !” 

“ Thank you, my good fellow,” was the reply, “ you have 
done well, done your duty^ and shall be rewarded for it.” 

This outrage upon the public press helped to fan the flame 
already kindled against the Mormon outlaws, by their re- 
peated depredations upon the citizens of the surrounding 
country, and plainly foreshadowed the storm that was to 
burst with startling fury. 

The dissenting Mormons at once united with those op- 
posed to that sect, and various meetings were called, and all 

21 


22 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 


parties urged to arm and prepare themselves to resist any 
further aggression: to be ready at all hazards to protect 
themselves and meet the worst. Warrants were issued 
against the Smiths, and other leaders, in the destruction of 
the printing office of the Expositor, and though served by 
the proper officers, they refused to obey the mandates of the 
law, and laughed at its power! 

As in all former cases, the writ of habeas corpus was 
resorted to, and all the arrested at once set at liberty and 
discharged from arrest ; the same persons that were arrested 
acting as officers of the Courts that discharged them! Thus 
effectually defeating the ends of justice, and compelling the 
officer to return to Carthage without a single prisoner ! 

This mock administration of law, added new fuel to the 
flame. The public being convinced that Nauvoo was the 
headquarters of nearly all the marauders who were preying 
upon the surrounding community, together with the full be- 
lief that the Mormon leaders were privy to their depreda- 
tions, and the resistance and defeat of justice, now became 
enraged, and determined to rise in their might and enforce 
the law, even though it should be at the point of the bayo- 
net or sabre. Determined to rid themselves of the harpies 
that were gnawing at their very vitals, and if need be, rid 
themselves of the whole Mormon population. Thoroughly 
aroused, and conscious not only of their power but also the 
justice of their cause, they fearlessly avowed their purposes, 
and though still defying, the most secret recesses of Mor- 
mondom trembled in view of the bursting of the tempest 
they had raised, but could not avert. 

The officer, from whose custody the Smiths and others 
were discharged, proceeded to summon a posse and renew 
the arrest from the adjacent counties, rallied under the ban- 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


23 


ner of law and justice. The Mormon leaders learning this 
fact, gathered also their forces. The Nauvoo Legion, or- 
ganized at the call of the Prophet, fully armed and equipped 
and numbering nearly four thousand, with their pieces of 
artillery, prepared for a desperate resistance. 

The City of Nauvoo was declared under martial law, and 
all necessary preparations were made to sustain the edicts of 
the Prophet and the freedom of the crime-stained ones, or 
die in the attempt. 

The officer, finding his force, or posse, far inferior to that 
of the Mormons, called upon the Governor of the State for 
aid to enforce the law and allow right, for a time, to triumph 
over might. Governor Ford, learning the true state of af- 
fairs in Hancock County, immediately ordered out several 
companies of State troops, and repaired with them, in per- 
son, to suppress the disturbances, and enforce the law. On 
his arrival, .he proceeded to examine into the causes of the 
difficulty, and despatched a messenger to Nauvoo, requiring 
the Prophet, Smith, to send a deputation to meet him at 
Carthage, and explain the conduct of the Mormons. Smith 
appointed John Taylor, one of the twelve apostles of the 
Church, and Dr. Burnhisle, a leading Mormon, to wait on 
the Governor. 

A full investigation was entered into, and Gov. F ord, in- 
structing the officer having the writs from which the Mor- 
mons had discharged themselves, to proceed to Nauvoo and 
demand the surrender of the Smiths and others upon whom 
the writs had already been served, and in case of a refusal 
to obey the law, to enforce it at the point of the bayonet. 
At the same time pledging himself, as the Chief Executive 
of the State, to protect them from personal violence, and 


^4 Banditti of the Prairies, 

the troops under his command pledged themselves to sus- 
tain him. 

The officer with a sufficient guard set off for Nauvoo, 
having also an order to disband the Nauvoo Legion, which 
on his arrival was disbanded. The several persons named 
in the writs, also agreed to accompany him on the following 
morning without trouble : and how well it would have 
been, had their promise been faithfully kept. 

Morning came, and the hour of their departure arrived, 
but the Prophet could not be found, having crossed the 
Mississippi river during the night with his brother Hiram, 
and secreted themselves in Iowa, and the officer was again 
forced to return to Carthage without the prisoners. 

Nauvoo was again a scene of confusion, all the inhabit- 
ants taking part in the trouble. Some rejoicing at the 
escape of the Prophet, while others were loud in their 
curses, avowing that he had deserted them, in the hour of 
danger left them to the mercy of their enemies, and was the 
cause of all their difficulty. 

Smith before leaving had instructed his wife to take her 
children, with the family of his brother Hiram, on board 
the steamer “ Maid of Iowa,” then lying at the foot of Main 
street ready for departure, and leave the city. With these 
instructions, however, she refused to comply, and remained 
at home. 

During the day, several despatches crossed the river to 
and from the Prophet; some advising him to seek safety in 
flight, and others urging him to return and save the city. 
Thus urged, the Prophet and his companion in flight, 
re-crossed the river about sunset, and on the following 
morning started for Carthage, and Nauvoo was again quiet. 
When within a few miles of Carthage, they were met by a 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


25 


detachment of State troops on their way to Nauvoo to de- 
mand the State arms there in possession of the Nauvoo 
Legion. The Smiths immediately retraced their steps, 
delivered up the arms on the order of the Governor, and 
again left for Carthage on the morning of the 26th of June. 

On arriving there, the prisoners were examined on the 
/charge of riot in destroying the printing press, and held to 
bail for their appearance at the next term of the Hancock 
Circuit Court. Joseph and Hiram Smith were arrested on 
charge of treason, and committed to await their examina- 
tion. 

All being tranquil, and Governor Ford thinking an armed 
force no longer necessary disbanded his troops on the morn- 
ing of the 27th, leaving but a small force to guard the jail, 
and proceeded with his suite to Nauvoo. Here he addressed 
the Mormons, urging upon them the necessity of observing 
and upholding the laws; preserving order, and respecting 
the rights of their fellow citizens, and telling them the inev- 
itable result of a continuance of their former course of con- 
duct. 

After the troops were disbanded, the most hostile of them, 
believing the Smiths eventually would be acquitted on the 
charge of treason, and the Mormons, still continued their de- 
predations, and deeming that the only way to secure safety 
was by ridding them of their leaders, they still continued to 
fan the flame of revenge that had heretofore been burning 
but too brightly. Urged on by the Mormon dissenters, 
who were thirsting for blood, they collected, to the number 
of about one hundred and forty, armed and disguised, and 
proceeded to the jail about five o’clock in the afternoon of 
the 27th. Having dispersed the guard, they attacked the 
jail, and Joseph and Hiram Smith in an effort to escape 


26 


The Banditti the Prairies, 


were both shot dead. Four balls pierced each of them, and 
any one of the wounds would have proved fatal. Having ac- 
complished this cold-blooded murder, (for surely no other 
name will apply to it,) and glutted their appetite for blood, 
the mob instantly dispersed. 

Great indeed has been the provocation, and revenge had 
been nursed and fostered by a long series of injuries, and yet 
they ‘lan, as we look calmly at the past, but little atone for 
the blood shed on that night, the breaking of the law and 
the wanton sacrifice of human life on the fearful altar of the 
human passions. 

Post haste from Carthage, whose streets were now stained 
with blood, a messenger was despatched to Nauvoo, with 
the news of this double murder, who met Gov. Ford and 
suite on his return from Nauvoo, and a few miles from that 
city. 

The Governor hastened to Carthage, and fearing that 
the Mormons would rise in force, massacre the citizens and 
burn the city, advised the immediate evacuation of the town. 
Most of the inhabitants fled in disorder, fearful that to avenge 
the death of their leaders, the Mormons would spare none. 
Gov. Ford, having placed General Demming in command 
of a small body of troops, with instructions to guard the 
town, and watch the movements of the Mormons, proceeded 
at once to Quincy, a distance of about fifty miles. 

The effect upon the Mormons was far different from what 
had been anticipated, for, apparently disheartened by the 
loss of their leaders, no effort at revenge was made. Sad, 
silent and gloomy, they seemed to brood over the past, 
rather than to think of violence, and all remained quiet. 

The bodies of the deceased were conveyed to Nauvoo on 
the 28th, and met at the entrance of the city by a large con- 


The of the Prairies* 


27 


course of people of both sexes and all ages, who followed 
them to the late residence of the Prophet. Here they were 
addressed by several prominent men of their Church, and 
exhorted to keep from all violence, and quietly submit to the 
persecution of their enemies. 

All remained quiet for a few weeks, during which time 
the Mormons re-organized, acknowledging the twelve apos- 
tles to be at the head of the Church. The building of the 
temple and other public works were resumed, and again se- 
curity and peace were felt by all. 

Soon, however, complaints from the surrounding country 
told that the ruffians were again at work, and as heretofore, 
all attempts to bring the offenders to justice proved abortive. 
If arrested, witnesses were always ready to swear them 
clear, and all again was in a state of disorder and fear. The 
smouldering fires were again ready to burst forth, and riot 
and bloodshed take the place of law and order. Another 
tragedy was to be enacted, fearful and bloody, and another 
victim sent unprepared into the presence of his Maker. 


CHAPTER III. 


THE MURDER OF MILLER AND LIECY. 

N the night of the loth of May, 1845, ^ i^ost barbar- 



w ous and bloody murder was committed in Lee County, 
Iowa, about twelve miles from Nauvoo, and three and one 
half from West Point, the county seat of Lee County, 
startling and affrighting all. 

To properly understand the sequel, it will be necessary 
for us briefly to explain the circumstances prior to the deed 
of blood. 

About the 25th of the previous April, Mr. John Miller 
with his son-in-law emigrated from the State of Ohio, located 
himself in Lee County, and offered to pay cash for a good 
farm. It was reported that he was possessed of a large sum 
of money, and at once he was marked as a prey by the law- 
less and blood-stained ones. 

A few days after this, two strangers appeared in the neigh- 
borhood, who said they had just moved into that part of the 
country and were searching for an ox they had lost. They 
described him fully, and made particular inquiries as well as 
indirect ones about the settlers in the vicinity. They staid 
at a house about one-fourth of a mile from Miller’s one night, 
and the next morning went to Miller’s and endeavored to 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


29 


get a bank note changed, alleging that they wanted the 
change to pay for their lodging. 

About twelve or one o’clock on the night of the 10th of 
May, three men entered the house of Miller, armed with 
pistols, bowie-knives and clubs. In the room there were 
three beds spread upon the floor. 

The one in the northeast corner was occupied by Mr. and 
Mrs. Liecy, the one in the northwest corner by Mr. and Mrs. 
Miller, and the third, at the north side of the room, by a 
man and his wife, whose name is not recollected. Upon 
entering the room, one of the ruffians opened a dark lantern, 
the light from which reflected upon the two beds occupied 
by Miller and Liecy, and immediately jumped upon the 
table, while the other two advanced to their bedsides. Each 
with a heavy club aimed a deadly blow at his victim, injur- 
ing them severely, but not so as to keep them from spring- 
ing to their feet before receiving a second. Grasping those 
who were intent on taking their lives, a desperate struggle 
ensued. Immediately the lantern was closed, and its holder 
sprang to the assistance of his companions in crime. 

For several minutes the struggle continued amid the cries 
and shrieks of the terrified women, and the groans of their 
husbands as they were stabbed and cut by the deadly bowie 
knives of their assassins, while they, unarmed, sought to re- 
pel them, and struggled almost hopelessly for life. 

It was a fearful struggle, against fearful odds, but bravely 
and well were the murderers met. At length Mr. Miller, 
by a desperate effort, succeeded in pushing his antagonist 
from the house, and hope sprang up in his breast. Vain, 
however, was its cherishing power, for as he passed the 
door the knife of the remorseless robj)er pierced his side, and 
entered his heart! With a single groan he reeled, stag- 


30 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


gerecl, and fell to the ground never to rise again: Another 
victim to the Banditti of the Prairies. 

Liecy succeeded in throwing over one of the ruffians upon 
the floor, and while in the act of choking him the knife of 
the other was inflicting deep gashes upon his head, and 
piercing frightfully his back. Desperately he battled, but 
maddened by pain and becoming very weak from the loss 
of blood, he with one effort freed himself from their hold 
and gained his feet. One effort more and he forced them 
through the open door, and strove to close it. Already it 
was closing and in another moment he would be safe! Oh! 
the happiness of that thought! But see, a flash glances on 
the air of midnight, the whizzing of a bullet is heard, and 
pierced by a ball, when on the very verge of safety, he sinks 
helpless upon the floor. 

The third man, during that soul-affrightening struggle, 
remained quietly in his bed, secreting himself under the 
cover, and allowed his friends to be cruelly murdered with- 
out a single effort to save them! Uninjured, except from 
fright: he was a very coward and a craven! 

The assassins, becoming alarmed at the manner in which 
they had been met, and fearing that the shrieks of the 
women and the report of the pistols might alarm the neigh- 
borhood, left without securing their booty. Blood-stained, 
and branded like Cain, were they, and fled under the cover 
of night to find safety from all but the terrors of a goading 
conscience. 

As soon as the family had recovered sufficiently from 
fright to allow reason to again occupy her usurped domin- 
ion, they despatched a messenger to West Point, where the 
district court was in session. The news created great 
excitement, and a large number of citizens together with 


‘ The Banditti of the Prairies, 


3 ^ 


► 

the biierifF repaired at once to the scene of the murder, 
when a horrid spectacle was presented to their shuddering 
vision. 

In the front yard and within a few feet of the door, lay 
Mr. Miller, cold and lifeless, his head, inclining to the right, 
upon descending ground, which was stained for a consider- 
able distance with blood. A ghastly stream, now chilled 
and waveless! Entering the house, they found Mr. Liecy 
. lying upon the floor weltering in blood, and apparently in 
the agonies of death. Everything presented, at a single 
glance, a perfect scene of carnage. The floor was stained 
and spotted with the ruddy stream of life, horrid for the eye 
to rest upon, affrighting the very soul, bidding the pulse 
stand still and the heart forget its office. The groans and 
■ cries of the afflicted family, as they burst from trembling 
and pallid lips, helped to complete the fearful tragedy and 
appal the beholders, telling how fearfully the fiends had 
completed their mission of death. 

^ Surgical aid was immediately procured, but uselessly, for 
upon examination the wounds that the survivor had received 
were pronounced fatal. The skull was pierced and broken 
by the strokes of the heavy bowie knife, and it had deeply 
buried itself in his back. The ball received upon the door- 
step was extracted, after having passed quite through his 
body, and became flattened against the bones. Though 
Mr. Liecy’s decease was hourly expected, yet he survived 
long enough to see in irons and identify the perpetrators of 
the dark and hellish deed. 

Every effort was made by James L. Estes, sheriff of Lee 
County, and others, to arrest the murderers, and bring them 
to justice. The news spread with lightning-like rapidity, 
and the particulars were soon in every mouth. The citi- 


32 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


zens of the surrounding country turned out “en masse,” 
organized themselves into companies, and scoured the 
country in hopes of obtaining some clue to the perpetrators 
of the fiendish outrage against both the laws of God and 
man. 

In searching the premises a cloth cap was found, trimmed 
with fur, and without a front-piece, being the only clue 
that might lead to the identity of the villains. This was 
carefully preserved as a silent witness in case of need. 
Tracks were found leading from the house across a ploughed 
field into a road, in the direction of Nauvoo. These were 
followed by Sheriff Estes to within a few miles of the said 
city, when all traces were lost. 

The news of this murder reached Montrose, where I 
resided, on the morning of the murder, at about ten o’clock. 
The citizens turned out, and the search became general. 
Every ravine, thicket and bluff was searched, but without 
success, for a day or two, when the citizens returned discour- 
aged to their homes, believing that the perpetrators of this 
crime would, like all others, escape justice. 

Having heard of the cap that had been found at the house, 
with a full description of it, I at once recollected having 
seen a young man in Nauvoo some three weeks previous by 
the name of Hodges, with a cap of the same description. I 
communicated this information immediately to Sheriff Estes, 
and learned from him that the Hodges were known as men 
of suspicious characters. In the meantime, I discovered 
several persons standing about the streets of Montrose 
eagerly listening to all the plans and movements against the 
murderers, and anxious to learn who, if any, were suspected. 
The excitement having passed away, and the sheriff’s posse 
dispersed, and all again had become quiet, I determined to 
track up, as the first step towards an arrest, the fatal cap 


33 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 

I immediately left for Nauvoo on the afternoon of the 
1 2th, and commenced such inquiries as would tend to 
remove or confirm the suspicions against the Hodges, and 
found that three of the Hodges, Amos, William and 
Stephen, were living together in a retired part of the city. 
Amos being married, the others were boarding with him, 
apd all were without any visible means of subsistence. That 
on the afternoon of the loth, William and Stephen Hodges 
and Thomas Brown were seen passing up in a skiff towards 
the mouth of Devil Creek, in the direction the murder was 
committed. Early in the morning of the nth, one of the 
Hodges was seen going from the river towards his home 
bare-headed^ and since that time had worn a hat, although 
he had previously worn a cap. On the nth, Stephen 
Hodges was seen in a grocery in Nauvoo with a drop of 
blood on the bosom of his shirt, and being questioned in 
regard to it made no reply, but went immediately home and 
returned with a clean one. 

These circumstances more than confirmed the suspicions 
already excited by the description of the cap, and I deter- 
mined, if possible, to arrest them and investigate the subject. 
Acting upon this determination, I called upon S. Markham, 
Captain of the City Watch, and made known to him my 
business and asked his assistance. He cheerfully consented 
to aid me, said he had men who would do anything he told 
them, and that he would follow my direction in making the 
arrest. 

He immediately called to his assistance eighteen or twenty 
men, armed for the purpose, and at two o’clock in the morn- 
ing or the 13th, we proceeded to the residence of Hodges 
and surrounded the house. Markham rapped at the door, 
but no attention was paid to it. A slight noise was heard 


34 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


in the house, and a light appeared through the windows, and ^ 
I saw three men in the house, each armed with a gun, and 
one of them put a bowie knife into his breast, and stepped 
to the door and demanded; 

“ Who is there?” 

“ I am,” replied Markham 

“ You are Mr. Markham?” 

“ Yes.” 

“ What do you want?” 

“ I want to come in.” 

“ You cannot enter.” 

“ I wish to see you.” 

“ The first one that attempts to enter is a dead man.” 

“ I wish to speak to you.” 

“ What business have you here at this time of night.” 

“ The citizens of Iowa have come over to arrest you, and 
I determined to get the start of them. You shall have a 
fair trial in the city, if you will surrender. Will you do so?” 

“ If you will wait till morning we will surrender.” 

After a few minutes of consultation we concluded to ac- 
cept their proposition and guard the house until daylight 
and thus prevent all escape. We informed them of our de- 
termination and all remained quiet. 

Daylight came, and Markham rapped at the door, when 
Amos opened it, and the three brothers surrendered without 
further resistance. They were taken before one Johnson, a 
Mormon Justice of the Peace, who agreed to hold them in 
custody until I could go to West Point and notify Sheriff 
Estes and return again. The Hodges manifested very little 
uneasiness and made no objection to the detention. 

I left Nauvoo at 7 o’clock on the morning of the I3th5 
crossed the river to Montrose, proceeded to West Point, and 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


35 


notified the sheriff of the arrest, who with several citizens 
returned with me to Nauvoo, where we arrived on the even- 
ing of the same day and found the Hodges safe in custody. 
Sheriff Estes made affidavit for a warrant, which being is- 
sued, they were legally arrested and remained for examina- 
tion. No evidence having been adduced against Amos 
Hodges he was discharged. Brown, who was also strong! v 
suspected, fled before sufficient evidence could be found 
against him to justify his arrest. 


CHAPTER IV. 


THE TRIAL. 

T he arrest of the Hodges had become public, and 
much excitement prevailed in the surrounding coun- 
try, as well as in Nauvoo. Being Mormons, but little 
hopes were entertained by the community at large of de- 
taining them in custody sufficient time to collect testimony 
and put them upon trial. Strong efforts were being con- 
stantly made in Nauvoo to ensure their acquittal on the ex- 
amination, or effect their escape, and a large number of 
witnesses were collected for this purpose, ready to swear 
that they were in Nauvoo at the time the murder was com- 
mitted. 

With this strong array of testimony in their favor, and 
the Mormon influence before a Mormon magistrate, against 
the circumstantial evidence in our possession, there was little 
hope of our success. Indeed, all looked forward to an 
acquittal, although every circumstance tended strongly to 
confirm their guilt. Under this state of affairs, the matter 
was abandoned entirely to my arrangement. 

“ Bonney,” said he, ‘‘ you have made the arrest, and must 
conduct the examination. With this strong array of wit- 
nesses I fear they will get clear, although I have no doubt 
of their guilt. I can do nothing with these Mormons, and 
shall leave the affair to your skill and judgment, assisting 
you as much as I can.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 


37 


Reluctantly I consented, and determined to make the 
best of a bad case, and, if possible, thwart their plans, set 
at defiance their army of “ standing witnesses,” and hold 
the Hodges to answer before a legal tribunal. I resorted 
to the following expedient. 

On the following morning, at the hour set for the trial, 
the court-room was filled with witnesses for the prisoners, 
and dark indeed was the prospect of their being committed. 
Under pretence of procuring more testimony from Iowa, I 
applied for a continuance until the following day, which, 
after considerable opposition, was granted, and the time 
fixed at lo o’clock, a. m. 

I immediately determined to take all our witnesses that 
were in attendance and proceed to W est Point, where the 
Lee County Grand Jury were in session, and procure a bill 
of indictment. This having been accomplished, my pur- 
pose was to return to Nauvoo with a certified copy, which 
would hold the prisoners, and await the requisition of the 
Governor, in despite the testimony of their friends. 

While Sheriff Estes and myself were preparing to set out 
on this mission, the steamboat New Purchase arrived from 
Fort Madison loaded with passengers, amongst whom were 
several witnesses against the Hodges. Some of them 
recognized S. Hodges as one of the Ox-hunters before 
spoken of, which, with other facts, were thought by the 
“ knowing ones ” to be sufficient to hold the Hodges, and 
all were eager for an immediate examination. I objected, 
but without assigning my reason, well believing that if my 
intentions were known by the Mormons, the escape of the 
prisoners would be certain, whilst their friends now doubted 
not that they would be sworn clear by their confederates. 

3; 


38 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


This being the case, we left at once for West Point, in 
direct opposition to the solicitation of our friends, where we 
arrived the same evening, and found the Grand Jury in ses- 
sion waiting our arrival, in compliance with the request of a 
messenger who had been previously despatched. 

The witnesses were at once examined, and a bill of indict- 
ment found against Stephen and William Hodges, and 
Thomas Brown, for the murder of Miller, (Liecy being yet 
alive). A certified copy having been procured, we set out 
on our return, and arrived in Nauvoo in time to meet the 
Court of Examination at the appointed hour. 

So great was the excitement that hundreds collected, both 
from Illinois and Iowa, and the streets were densely 
crowded. General Demming, the then Sheriff of Hancock 
County, was in attendance, and a steamer from Fort Madi- 
son brought a crowd of persons anxious to be present at 
the examination. Friends and foes alike were there, and 
on every face was depicted anxiety, fear, or hope. 

The Court at last convened, and the prisoners arraigned 
for examination, with an array of witnesses, and defended 
by Almond Babit, Esq. After several attempts to still the 
dense crowd into silence, it was at length accomplished, 
and the examination began. Then the copy of the indict- 
ment was produced, effectually placing them beyond the 
reach of false witnesses bribed for the purpose. The court- 
room was at once a scene of confusion, such as the eye but 
seldom rests upon. The cheers of the friends of justice, 
and the loud curses of the others, commingled in one over- 
whelming din, and riot and bloodshed seemed the inevitable 
consequence. Wild indeed was the storm, and who could 
say whether it would subside or burst in fury? Completely 
disheartened, however, by this unlookedfor proceeding, 


39 


The Banditti of the Prairies, ' 

baffled and outwitted, the friends of the Hodges quietly 
submitted, and the prisoners were held to await a requisition 
from Iowa. 

All now seemed quiet, and yet the slightest cause would 
have resulted in the complete destruction of Nauvoo, and 
the expulsion of the Mormons, and great fears were enter- 
tained; the excited populace could not be restrained from 
acts of violence. The danger of their escape by the break- 
ing of the jail, or rescue by their friends, was also feared, 
and deep and fearful revenge was avowed in either case, 
which added to the excitement already verging towards its 
height. 

To guard against all danger, and still if possible the 
tumult, I suggested to the counsel for the prisoners, that, 
notwithstanding they protested their innocence, yet they 
must answer to the laws of their country under the indict- 
ment. If innocent they would not fear the result, and that 
in order to place themselves in safety beyond all hazards, 
that they surrender to the authorities of Iowa, and avoid 
the necessity of procuring a requisition. Mr. Babit, their 
counsel, favored this suggestion, and urged the prisoners to 
comply with the proposition, to which, after some consider- 
ation, they consented. Safely lodged in prison at Fort 
Madison, beyond the hope of rescue, or escape, the minds 
of the people of the surrounding country again became 
calm, and business, that had for a time been neglected, was 
again resumed. 

Facts having been elicited during the investigation with 
regard to the Hodges, that proved conclusively that Thorhas 
Brown was the third of the infamous three, I was urged by 
many to pursue, and if possible arrest him. Being legally 
authorized to offer a reward of five hundred dollars for his 


40 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


arrest and delivery into my custody, in any State or Terri- 
tory in the United States, I left to accomplish if possible 
this mission, on the morning of the 28th May. On reaching 
Quincy, I introduced my business to Sheriff Pitman, ^vho 
was an officer of great merit, and a perfect gentleman; and 
who, in his official character, was extensively known to the 
gang, as well as acquainted with their proceedings, which 
enabled him to give me much valuable information. 

Sheriff Pitman was well acquainted with the general 
character of Brown, and knew several of his confederates 
in crime, who lived on the Mississippi bottoms, in the north 
part of Adams county, eighteen miles north of Quincy. 
Amongst these was a Mr. Bingham, a relative of Brown’s, 
and who had served out one term in the penitentiary for 
larceny. After gathering from him all necessary informa- 
tion and directions, I determined to visit the gang in the 
neighborhood of Bingham, and by stratagem learn whether 
secreted in the vicinity, and whether any of them knew 
anything with regard to him. 

I at once set out, and after riding till within a few miles 
of the house of Bingham, I met a man on horseback of 
whom I inquired for a Mr. Agard, to whom I had been 
directed by Sheriff Pitman, as a person in whom I could 
confide, and who would give me any information in his 
power. He immediately replied: 

“ My name is Agard.” 

“ The Sheriff of your county directed me to call on you.” 

“ Oh! I suppose I know your business. You are in pur- 
suit of the murderers of fo Smith. Well, well, I suppose 
I must go with you.” 

“ That is not my business. The Sher — 

“ Oh! well sir, what did you want? ” 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 41 

“ I was directed to you to inquire for a Mr. Bingham. I 
wish to find some land in his neighborhood.” 

o 

“ Oh! is that all? I can tell you all about Mr. Bingham, 
and the land in his township; I have a map and can inform 
you who owns every tract.” 

“ Would you be kind enough to give me such informa- 
tion?” 

“ Yes, yes, at any time.” 

“ When can you do it? ” 

, “ Why, to-morrow, I ’ll meet you at Mr. ’s grocery, 

one and a half miles east of here, and give you any infor- 
mation you desire.” 

“ I shall be obliged to you, sir.” 

After a few more remarks we separated, and on the fol- 
lowing morning according to appointment I called at Mr. 
’s grocery, but without finding him. I learned, how- 
ever, that the Hancock Circuit Court was in session, and 
that several persons were under arrest charged with the 
murder of the brothers Smith. Also, Mr. Agard had called 

early in the morning on Dr. , and told him “ there was 

something wrong in the wind — that he had seen a stranger 
yesterday inquiring for land, but that he believed it only 
was a ruse and should keep himself out of sight.” 

Disappointed, but not disheartened, I continued my search, 
though unavailing, throughout the day, and on the follow- 
ing morning called at the house of Mr. Bingham, to whom 
I introduced myself by the name of “ Morris.” 

“ Is your name Bingham ?” 

“ Yes, that is my name.” 

“ I have heard of you, and would like to have a little con- 
fident conversation with you.” 

“ Certainly. Upon what subject?” 

4 


42 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


“ I am just from the eastern part of the State, where 1 
‘ raised ’ a horse, which I left below for sale, and thought I 
would come up and see what was going on in the way of 
business.” 

“ I am glad you called, though we are all idle here at 
present. The boys up north, however, seem to have their 
hands full.” 

“ What is doing here?” 

“ They have made several good ‘raises,’ though I learn 
some of them have got into rather a serious scrape.” 

“ Scrape ! Of what kind ?” 

“ They attempted to rob an old German by the name of 
Miller, and in order to escape were obliged to murder both 
him and his son-in-law.” 

“ Serious business, truly.” 

“ Yes, but that is not the worst of it.” 

“ Why, is there anything more?” 

“ Two of them have been arrested, and I understand they 
are after the third.” 

“ That is bad luck. But can they not get clear?” 

“ I don’t know. It is somewhat doubtful.” 

“ Are you acquainted up the river?” 

“ Not much.” 

“ You know the Mormons?” 

“ Yes, I was amongst them, and a Mormon myself.” 

“ Do you know which of the boys were arrested for the 
murder you have spoken of?” 

“ Two of the Hodges.” 

“ I suppose they are guilty.” 

“No doubt of it. They are hard cases.” 

“ It will probably go hard with them.” 

“Yes, but they won’t catch the third.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


43 


“ The third !” 

“ Yes, Tom Brown, He is one of the hardest I know of. 
He does nothing but follow the business. I have seen him 
go into a store in the day time, and steal a roll of cloth and 
put out with it, and he makes a practice of going to St. 
Louis on one side of the river and coming back the other, 
raking down both ways.” 

“He must be an old hand?” 

“ They won’t catch him. He is too smart for that.” 

“ Was he engaged in the murder with the Hodges?” 

“ I presume he was.” 

“ I should like to get acquainted with him. I think I 
could get him into an operation that would suit him.” 

“ Very likely, he is ready for anything.” 

“ Does he come here often ?” 

“ Not very. 1 don’t think he would suit you though.” 

“Why not?” 

“ He is too reckless.” 

“ I want two of the boys who are of the right stripe to 
go to Shawneetown with me.” 

“What is the speculation?” 

“ To relieve an old Dutchman of a chest of specie.” 

“ That’s the kind of speculation that would suit him. I 
can’t do much here. I am suspected and have to keep very 
quiet.” 

“Two would be enough, and I think with you and 
Brown, we could do the thing up right.” 

“ I don’t know where Tom is, but there is a man living 
about two miles from here, who is a first rate hand in such 
business.” 

“ But suppose he could not go?” 


44 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


“ Oh there is plenty in this County who would be glad of 
such a chance ” 

Being satisfied that he did not know the whereabouts of 
Brown, I told him I was obliged to go to Missouri before 
I made the strike at Shawneetown, but would call on him 
when I returned, and make some arrangement with him, 
when he continued the conversation. 

“ Are you acquainted in Missouri ? ” ^ 

“ No, not much.” 

“ I can give you the points there, if you want them.” 

“ I do, it helps me greatly.” 

“ I have a brother on the Missouri River who is right, 
and knows all the Boys. If you get there you are safe. 
Tell him / sent you and it will be all right.” 

“ I shall not forget him.” 

“ When you come this way come and see me. I can 
secrete you, and hide your horse so that the devil himself 
cannot find him. 

“ But if I should want to run ? ” 

“ I keep a boat to cross the Mississippi, and can ferry my 
friends across at night as well as in the day time, and tell 
them where they can stop and be secure.” 

After wishing me success, and giving me a list of names 
with whom to stop in Missouri, I left him and returned to 
Quincy on the evening of the 23rd, and gave Sheriff: 
Pitman the particulars of my interview w*itn Bingham. 
Leaving there I proceeded to St. Louis, where I got traces 
of Brown, and searched until the morning of the 27th with- 
out further success. After making such arrangements with 
the City Marshal as would secure the arrest of Brown if he 
should visit St. Louis, I departed for Memphis. Searching 
fully there, assisted by William D. Pilmore, a constable 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 


45 


who had been kindly detailed for that duty by the Mayor, 
and becoming satisfied that Brown was not to be found, I 
again left for St. Louis. 

Brown had visited St. Louis during my short absence, 
and an unsuccessful attempt had been made to arrest him. 
This, as he would now be on his guard, rendered the task I 
had undertaken still more arduous and doubtful, yet still I 
determined to pursue it to the end — to victory or to death. 
But being now completely at fault, I knew not which way 
to proceed, and while in this state of suspense I received a 
letter from Sheriff Estes which determined me to return 
and attend the trial of the Hodges. Perfecting my 
arrangements with the City Marshal, I immediately left 
and arrived at Montrose on the evening of the 5th of June. 

Stephen and William Hodges were removed to West 
Point from Fort Madison on the 20th of May, and a»rraigned 
for trial, but a change of venue was taken to Des Moines 
County, where they were now to suffer the penalty of the 
law, or come forth cleared of the worst crime whose name 
stains the statute book. 

Mr. Liecy, who was still alive, though rapidly sinking 
from the effects of his wounds, was confident that he could 
identify his murderers, if he was permitted to see them. In 
order to add his testimony to that of the others. Sheriff 
Estes selected persons who were strangers to Liecy, and 
who nearest resembled the Hodges, and took them to the 
residence of Liecy. They were seated in a circle in the 
room of the dying man, when, after a careful survey of 
their size, features, and general appearance, he singled out 
Stephen Hodges, saying : 

« That is the man who stabbed me with the bowie knife.” 


46 The Bmiditti of the Prairies, 

“ Another look round the circle and he pointed to William 
Hodges: 

“ That is the man who shot me!” 

Many questions were asked him in ‘ order to test the 
strength of his belief, but he wavered not for a single mo- 
ment, or in the least controverted his assertions. Strong 
testimony this, falling as it did, from the lips of one who 
would soon pass through the gates of death, and it was fully 
confirmed by Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Liecy. 

Other evidence also came to light by which the Hodges 
were tracked from Nauvoo to the scene of the daring mur- 
der, and back again to that city, and a pistol was found in 
their possession, the ball of which corresponded in size and 
weight with the one taken from the body of Liecy. How 
true it is, that murder may be tracked to the hand that did 
the deed, and is stained in blood, by the smallest and appar- 
ently most immaterial circumstances. 

Monday, the 8th of June, was the day fixed for the trial, 
and the friends of the prisoners having become alarmed, 
made every effort in their power to secure their acquittal. 
Erwin Hodges, the brother, who was residing about thirty- 
one miles from Nauvoo, was the most active, took the lead 
in arranging their plan of defence, and swore bitter and 
deadly vengeance against all who took part in their arrest 
or prosecution. Being also a Mormon, he denounced the 
leaders of the Church for suffering his brothers to be taken 
out of Nauvoo, and said if they were hung it should cost 
the best blood in that city. 

Messrs. Hall & Mills of Burlington, Iowa, were employed 
to defend them, and their fee of one thousand dollars secured 
to them. All that could be done to prevent a verdict of 
guilty, was carefully thought of and carried through, as a 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


47 


primary step toVv^ards this end, and affidavit for a continu- 
ance was filed, sworn to by the Hodges, to obtain the follow- 
ing witnesses: John and Aaron Long, Judge Fox and 
Henry Adams of St. Louis, and John W. Braffit, Henry 
Moore, Samuel Smith, Lydia Hodges, John Bliss, Cai'oline 
Moore, Samuel Walton, Sarah Ann Wood, Horace Braffit, 
Mrs. Artemus Johnson, Thomas Morgan, (a son of the late 
William Morgan of Batavia, N. Y., author of disclosures on 
Masonry,) John Court, Mrs. Campbell, (sister of the 
Hodges,) Harriet St. John, and a Miss Hawkins of Nauyoo; 
witnesses not then present, who would swear that they 
were in Nauvoo at the time of the murder, and other facts 
that would establish their innocence beyond the power of 
contradiction. 

On this affidavit the case was continued until the 15th of 
the same month, during which time I remained at Mont- 
rose, and occasionally visited Nauvoo, to watch the move- 
ments of those whose names were inserted in the said affida- 
vit. Everything tended to confirm the former opinion of 
both Sheriff Estes and myself that they were all connected 
with the same gang, and intended to swear their comrades 
out at all hazards. But suspicion was not testimony, and 
nothing remained for us to do but to watch and bide our 
time. 

The anxiously looked-for day of trial came, and armed 
with good counsel on either side, the trial began. By a 
strong chain of circumstantial evidence, a clear case was 
made out against the prisoners, backed by the testimony of 
the wives of the murdered men, and the assertions of Liecy 
as to their identity, which he reiterated in the last moments of 
his life. A vigorous defence was made, but the witnesses 
for the prisoners could not tell a consistent story, and fre- 


^ S The Banditti of the Prairies. 

quently gave the lie one to the other, though all agreed that 
they were in Nauvoo at the time the murder was committed. 
In this they had been well trahied^ but those who tutored 
them forgot to designate any particular point, and conse- 
quently, some swore to one point and others to another. 
This alone was sufficient to controvert their testimony in 
this particular, and show the object for which they were 
brought there. 

Lydia Hodges, wife of Amos Hodges, who was in attend- 
ance as a witness, feigned sickness, and was absent from the 
court room and sent for one of the counsel for the prisoners. 
As he entered the room she burst into tears, and exclaimed: 

“ Must I go to court? ” 

“ If you can swear the Boys were at home, on the night 
of the murder, your testimony will be very material and 
cannot be dispensed with. Can you swear that? ” 

“ They were out that night.” 

“ Do you know where they were ? ” 

“ They left home in company with Tom Brown, and said 
they were going over to Iowa? ” 

“ When did they return ? ” 

“ Early the next morning.” 

“ What did they say ? ” 

“ That they had been unsuccessful.” 

“And nothing about the murder?” 

“ They said that they had a desperate fight, and were 
afraid that they had killed somebody.” 

“ What is their business? ” 

“ Robbery is the only one I know of.” 

“ Who are engaged with them ? ” 

“All their father’s family, and leaders in the Mormon 
Church encourage them in it, and share the spoils.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 


49 


“You know all this, or is it merely a rumor?” 

“I know it, and am now brought here to swear them 
clear. They have always been kind to me, and yet I can- 
not swear my soul to eternal perdition, and destroy all my 
hopes of happiness both here and hereafter, to save them. 
Must I go to Court?” 

“ I don’t know yet.” 

“ I cannot, will not, do it ! I cannot swear for them, and 
I will not swear against them.” 

Other conversation was had, and the lawyer returned 
again to Court, more than ever convinced of the hopeless- 
ness of his case, though he still struggled hard to the very 
end. It was vain, however, for after much time had been 
consumed in the trial, it was brought to a close by the fear- 
ful word that fell from the lips of the foreman of the jury — 
the end at once of their hopes, and the consummation of 
their fears, the knell of the tocsin of death — the dreadful 
word — Guilty! 

A horrid sound, is it not, to fall upon the ear of man? 
What phantoms rise at it — the rope, the gibbet, the coffin, the 
grave! Show me the eye that can look calmly upon them, 
and the heart that does not grow sick, and the form that 
does not tremble aspenlike at the bare mention of their hor- 
rors. How then must it be when they know that each day 
brings them nearer, and each turn of the hand upon the dial 
is hastening them to their certain doom ? Awful ! awful ! ! 
and yet “ blood for blood ” is the cry, and a waving sea of 
human hands surround the place of execution, unsatisfied 
and restless, till the last gasp attests the passage of the soul 
from earth. 

Strong efforts were made by their brother, Erwin Hod- 
ges, to arouse the Mormons, and urge them to attempt 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


50 

their rescue. Loudly he threatened and swore that if Brig- 
ham Young did not send men to break open the jail and 
save them he would denounce them to the proper authori- 
ties, and confess all he knew. Little time, however, was 
given him for the execution of his threats, for on the same 
night, at the early hour of nine, he was basely murdered in 
the streets of Nauvoo. Knocked down with clubs and 
stabbed with his own bowie knife j he lay reeking in blood, 
another victim to the vengeance of the Mormons! 

No effort was made by the authorities of Nauvoo to ferret 
out and arrest the murderers, and soon after Brigham Young 
told his followers, in a public discourse, that “ they had no 
business to inquire who killed Erwin Hodge — that no man^ 
who was a 7?tan, would do it^ and tlidt every member of the 
Church must 7nind his own btismessl"' 

Hopelessly, entirely now, the prisoners were forced to 
submit to their certain fate, and passing the hours within the 
lonely confines of their prison cells, watched the sunbeams 
as they crept upon the dusty walls, and 'counted the mo- 
ments as they passed, hastening Ihein towards the day of 
their execution. 


CHAPTER. V. 


THE ROBBERY OF STRAWN. 

T he sentence against Stephen and William Hodges 
was carried into effect on the 15th of July. They 
were publicly executed. When on the scaffold they with 
bold effrontery charged the Court and Jury with injustice 
in convicting them, as they alleged without sufficient evi- 
dence, in the asseverations of innocence, with which many 
criminals perish upon the scaffold, after a fair trial and con- 
viction, which, perhaps, proves nothing but the natural and 
universal desire to leave names behind, which at least some 
one may believe, not wholly linked with infamy. Yet even 
this consolation must be denied to these unfortunate men. 
No one doubted their guilt. 

The gang finding that all their efforts to save the Hodges 
had proved unavailing, and believing me to be the prime 
mover in the events which had led to their arrest and exe- 
cution, cherished towards me the most bitter and malignant 
enmity. Not a day passed in which my life was not 
threatened. I was told that it would not be safe for me to 
be seen abroad, and that if I showed myself in the streets 
of Nauvoo, I should have my throat cut, and my body 
chopped into mince- meat, and that forty men in Nauvoo 
were ready to carry their threat into execution. 


52 


71ie Banditti of the Prairies, 


I only mention things of this nature to show the task I 
had undertaken from a sense of duty to society to perform, 
was one by no means free from danger; but I ask nothing 
from the community at large, except a willing belief on 
their part that I was actuated by honorable motives, and a 
sincere desire to relieve the country from the depredations 
of a band of lawless and unprincipled villains. Their 
threats had no further effect upon me than to induce a 
stronger determination than ever to ferret out the whole 
gang, and see justice fully satisfied, as far as the law of the 
land would admit. 

The band of robbers, feeling strong in their united organ- 
ization, and not intimidated by the breach made in their 
ranks by the execution of the Hodges, still continued their 
depredations. 

On the night of the 7th of June, 1845, Jeremiah Strawn, 
an aged man, was quietly reposing after the toils of the day 
in his house in Putnam County, Illinois. His wife, the 
partner of his old age as of his youth, was at his side, and 
in a neighboring room a worthy member of the Methodist 
Conference was enjoying the rest afforded by the hospitality 
of the good old couple. It was a lovely night of the most 
lovely month of the year; and the beholder as he looked 
out upon that peaceful scene — the quiet farm-house, and the 
broad level meadows around it, waving their burden of 
verdure in the pure and holy calm of the moon’s soft light — 
would hardly have thought it possible that beings with the 
name and capacities of men would dare to mar the sacred 
serenity of the time and place with deeds of wrong and 
outrage. It would seem so much like sacrilege before the 
altar of God’s holiest temple of worship. 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


53 


Near the hour of midnight three men forced their way 
into that peaceful dwelling and aroused the old man and his 
wife from their slumbers. One of them with a loaded 
pistol in his hand approached their bedside, threatening 
them with instant death if they made the slightest resistance 
or alarm. Another ruffian stepped to the chamber door, 
and stood with drawn weapons, ready to prevent any person 
who might be sleeping in the upper rooms from coming to 
the assistance of those below, while the third villain, thus 
protected by his comrades, acted as speaker in the adventure : 

“Give us your money!” he said, “or we will kill you 
both, and set your house on fire ! ” 

“ What I have you will find in that bureau yonder,” re- 
plied Mr. Strawn, who perceived at once the folly of 
resistance. 

“ Y ou have more than this ! ” exclaimed the robber after 
searching the bureau. “ Here are only one hundred dollars 
in decent money, and about the same in Illinois canal scrip, 
which is not worth much to us anyway. These two old 
silver watches are good for little or nothing. We must 
have more ! ” 

“ It is all that I have,” said Mr. Strawn, throwing him- 
self back resignedly. “ If you kill me you will find no 
more ! ” 

“ Well we won’t take your word for it — ^we’ll examine 
this next room, — who is in here ?” 

“ A Methodist clergyman,” replied Mr. Strawn, “ he is a 
poor man, and cannot have inuch money with him. I hope 
you will not disturb him.” 

“ Oh ! if he is a preacher, we will kill him anyhow,” said 
the robber. “ There is no sin in killing a preacher. He 
will go straight to Heaven, you know! What do you say, 
A 


54 The Banditti of the Prairies, 

boys! shall we put a stop to his sermonizing for the pres- 
ent?” 

Thus speaking he entered the room and robbed the 
affrighted clergyman, who did not seem anxious for an im- 
mediate departure to the other world, of his silver watch 
and about fifteen dollars in money. 

“ I say, boys,” exclaimed the somewhat facetious robber^ 
“ if we are caught in this scrape, I reckon we will get off on 
the plea of insanity, for none but insane persons would think 
seriously of finding anything worth stealing about a Metho- 
‘dist preacher.” 

After searching the house from top to bottom, the villains 
got ready to depart : 

“ Look here,” said one of them, addressing Mr. Strawn,” 
do you intend to follow us?” 

“ I don’t know that I shall.” 

“ You had better not undertake it. You are a dead man 
if you do. Besides it will do you no good. You can’t catch 
us. So good bye, old fellow.” 

Early the next morning Mr. Strawn gave the alarm, and 
with the assistance of his friends, made great exertions to 
track and apprehend the robbers of his house, but all his 
efforts were unavailing. Mr. Strawn was left to suffer his 
misfortunes without remedy. 

Not far from the middle of the same month the law office 
of Knox & Dewey, of Rock Island, Illinois, was broken 
open and robbed of six hundred and forty dollars, and no 
trace of the robbers was ever discovered. 

About the 25th of the month, an attempt was made to rob 
Mr. Beach, a merchant in Nauvoo. This robbery was 
planned by Amos Hodges and R. H. Bleeker, who as secu- 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 55 

rity for the Hodges signed the note to Hall & Mills, and 
Judge Fox, one of their witnesses. 

This Amos Hodges was an Elder among the Mormons. 
Mr. Beach being also a Mormon, the worthy and scrupu- 
lous Amos entertained some doubts as to the propriety ot 
robbing his “ Brother Beach.” Thereupon, as was the cus- 
tom among the Mormons, upon the eve of any important 
undertaking, Amos took counsel with Brigham Young. 

Whether Brigham favored the proposed robbery or not, 
is not known, as Amos was forced to seek safety in flight 
about this time, after being bailed by William Smith and 
Ripley. 

It is certainly in favor of Young that he gave some kind 
of intimation to Beach of the intended robbery of his prem- 
ises, tbiUs enabling him with an armed guard to watch the 
approach of the Banditti. 

Fox and Bleeker, accomplished in their hazardous pro- 
fession, entered the house of Beach with so much silence 
and skill, that, notwithstanding the careful lookout kept for 
them, they had nearly succeeded in escaping with a large 
leathern trunk, which they had taken from the top of a bu- 
reau, before they were discovered. This trunk contained 
between three and four thousand dollars. The guard fired 
several shots 'at them, but they escaped without injury, and 
with no other loss than one of Bleeker’s shoes, which was 
afterwards found in a mud-puddle near the house. 

This attempted robbery was ot once made public. Yet 
no effort was made by Beach or the authorities of Nauvoo 
to arrest the Banditti. 


CHAPTER VI. 


THE MURDER OF DAVENPORT. 


N the western shore of Rock Island, looking over the 



main branch of the Mississippi, and facing Iowa, 
stands a beautiful residence, adorned by the hand of taste 
and wealth. 

Here many years ago resided Colonel George Davenport. 
Rock Island had been his home for more than thirty years, 
and his name was identified with the recollections of the 
neighborhood, and its history, for a whole generation. He 
was universally loved and esteemed for his generous heart 
and social qualities. His wealth had been acquired as an 
Indian trader, and its acquisition had in no respect stained 
his honor, for in all his dealings he had been honest and up- 
right. He was an Englishman by birth, but had come to 
America at an early age. One of the first and true pioneers 
of the march of civilization in the great northwest, his hold 
upon the affections of the residents of that part of the terri- 
tory was strong and abiding. 

It was indeed peculiarly mournful that the Banditti of the 
Prairies, amid their outrages upon society, could not have 
passed by one so loved and so honored. 

It was on the 4th of July, 1845. At the court house 
in the town of Rock Island, on the main land of Illinois, a 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


57 


large concourse of people assembled, among whom were 
the family and domestics of Colonel Davenport, to do honor 
to the glorious birth-day of American Independence. The 
old man remained at home alone. His family objected to 
leaving him thus unprotected, for there was a general fear 
of the Banditti, at that time in all parts of the northwest, 
between the Rock and Mississippi Rivers. He, however, 
insisted that all of them should attend the celebration, and 
disdained the idea that there was any cause whatever for 
alarm. The venerable old man could not believe that there 
was danger to him. Safely had he passed through the 
perils incident to a frontier life — the horrors of Indian war- 
fare, and the dangers of a lonely residence on the very out- 
skirts of civilization, and now that he was surrounded by 
all the blessings of .a peaceful life, and in the midst of a long 
established community, it is no wonder that the old man 
could not realize the idea of danger. 

This feeling of security frequently accompanies men who 
have passed through many perils, and it is no uncommon 
event for such men to perish from carelessness and inatten- 
tion, which other men would not have practiced. This 
feeling may have been the true cause of the death of sev- 
eral of our daring soldiers, who, after passing through all 
the dangers of the Mexican war, have since died when sur- 
rounded by all the protections and privileges of peace. 
Perhaps thus persisted the chivalrous Worth — the gallant 
Duncan, and the wild and daring Dan Henrie, and other 
kindred spirits. 

“ Go,” said the old Colonel, with a benevolent smile 
lighting up his wrinkled face, “ Go, my friends, and 6njoy 
yourselves, I feel secure from all harm.” 


58 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


After their departure, he seated himself in his parlor 
reading his newspaper, or following with a pleased gaze the 
turbulent motions of the Mississippi, as it rushed by the 
lovely island of his home. At length his attention was 
attracted by a faint noise in the vicinity of his well, which 
did not annoy him as he supposed it was made by some one 
engaged in drawing water. Presently hearing another 
noise he arose from his chair to go and ascertain the cause 
of it, when the door was suddenly pushed open and three 
men stood before him. 

Not a word was said, but almost instantly the foremost of 
the assassins discharged a pistol at the old man. The ball 
passed through his left thigh, and as the Colonel turned to 
grasp his cane, which stood near him, the three men rushed 
upon him, blindfolded him, pinioned his arms and legs with 
hickory bark, and dragged him by his long grey hair, cravat 
and shirt collar into the hall, and up a flight of stairs to a 
closet, containing an iron safe. This they compelled him to 
open, being unable from the peculiar structure of the lock to 
open it themselves. When he had unfastened the private 
bolt, they took out the contents, and then dragging him into 
another room, placed him upon a bed, and with terrible 
threats demanded more money. The old man pointed 
them with a feeble hand to a drawer in a dressing table 
near by. The murderers in their hurry missed the drawer 
containing the money, and opened one in which they found 
nothing of value. Enraged at their failure, and believing 
that their defenceless victim intended to deceive them; they 
flew upon him with violence, and beat and choked him 
until he passed into a state of insensibility. They then pro- 
ceeded to recall his senses by dashing water in his face, and 
when he was restored again demanded money of him; and 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


59 


following the motions of his hand, for he was unable to speak, 
they again missed the proper drawer. Still more angry, 
if possible, than at first, they repeated their fiendish brutality 
upon his person, strangling him until he again fainted. 
Reviving him by throwing water in his face, and by pour- 
ing it down his mouth, they then threatened “ to fry him 
upon coals of fire,” if he did not disclose the place where the 
money had been left, and they would then burn his body in 
the flames of his own house. The old man fell back insen- 
sible, and totally unable to answer them. 

The murderers having found between six and seven hun- 
dred dollars in money, a gold watch and chain, a double- 
barrelled shot-gun and pistol, fled precipitately, as if under 
the influence of some sudden fear, leaving the house sprink- 
led with blood from parlor to chamber, and the venerable 
old pioneer, apparently dead upon the bed. 

A more cowardly, cold-blooded murder was never com- 
mitted. The annals of crime have no record which more 
fully awakens the deepest execrations of the human heart. 
It seems strange to us that man can ever become so wholly 
perverted as to take the life of his fellow being. The 
instinctive shudder with which we shrink back from the 
slightest idea of destroying the vital principle which 
animates — a kindred spirit to that which beats within our- 
selves — the frame work of another, seems a feeling natural 
and universal. There is not perhaps one among our readers 
who would not dread to take the life of another, even in 
self-defence. Yet this old man was murdered in cold blood, 
within the walls of his own peaceful mansion, and surround- 
ed by the scenes of his long and happy life. 

We may not know the after feelings of his murderers, 
but we cannot but believe that his aged and blood-stained 


6o 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


form, like the ghost of the murdered Banquo, must have 
ever been before their mental vision, a thing of terror and 
dread. 

The first discovery of the murder was made by Mr. Cole 
of Moline, who with two other men was passing down the 
Mississippi in a skiff. When nearly opposite the mansion 
of Colonel Davenport, they heard the cry of murder. 
Rowing to the shore, they hastened to the house, and on 
entering the door, which stood ajar, they found blood in 
every direction, and again heard the fearful cry for help 
issuing from the chamber. Mr. Cole hurried up stairs 
where he beheld the terrible spectacle of Colonel Daven- 
port weltering in his blood, and everything around him 
saturated with his own gore. Mr, Cole, leaving his com- 
rades to render what assistance they might be able to the 
Colonel, ran for Dr. Brown, who was with a picnic party 
on the Island, at no great distance from the house; other 
medical aid was also procured with as much expedition as 
possible. 

Colonel Davenport becoming somewhat restored by the 
assistance rendered him, was able to tell the circumstances 
of his murder, and to greet his family upon their return, but 
being in extreme agony from the torture of the wounds 
inflicted by the assassins, continued to fail, and finally 
expired between nine and ten o’clock of the evening after 
the assault upon him. 

After a long and useful life and a terrible death he sleeps 
well, by the side of the great father of waters, whose waves 
as they rush to join the ocean, seem to murmur a eulogy 
and requiem for the good man departed. 

His funeral sermon was preached on the following Sun- 
day by the Rev. Mr. Goldsmith of Davenport, from Mat- 


The Bmiditti of the Prairies* 


6i 


thew XII, 39th verse: And this know^ that if the good 
man of the house had known what hour the thief would 
come^ he would have watched and not have suffered his 
house to be broken throughP 

Colonel Davenport described the three assassins who 
attacked him — one, as being a small, slightly-built' man, 
wearing a cloth cap — one, a short, thick-set, square-built 
man; and the other, as a large, middling sized, tall man. 
His description of their features was sufficiently minute 
to excite suspicion of any person in the neighborhood, 
and as his aged eyes became closed in death, nothing 
remained to his family and friends in their earnest desires 
for justice and vengeance, but to quietly await the events ot 
time, and the mysterious developments of an overruling 
Providence. 

Great exertions were made by the citizens of Rock Island 
and vicinity to apprehend the murderers. A reward or 
fifteen hundred dollars was offered by the family of Colonel 
Davenport for their arrest. Handbills were published, 
describing the watch and a part of the money, with as min- 
ute an account as could be given of the ajjpearance and 
general character of the three assassins, as described by 
their victim on his death bed. Companies were organized 
under the direction of discreet and experienced officers — 
the country was searched in every direction, and a night 
watch kept up, but all to no purpose. Day after day the 
search was continued, but not the slightest information 
could be obtained of the murderers. The alarm spread far 
and wide, but the assassins had made good their escape, and 
the only witness able to identify them, the lamented Colonel 
Davenport, could give no testimony in an earthly court oi 


62 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


justice. His evidence was deferred to be handed in at that 
great court of last appeal, the judgment tribunal of God; 
where no witness shall be absent, and no prisoner found 
wanting, and no victim silenced in death; but face to face, 
murderer and murdered shall stand, in the clear and blazing 
.ght of the great white throne of the Eternal Judge of all 


CHAPTER VIL 


PREPARATIONS FOR THE DISCOVERY OF THE 
MURDERERS. 

O N the 8th day of July, the fourth after the murder, 
'while at West Point, Lee County, Iowa, in company 
with Sheriff Estes, I received intelligence of the murder of 
Colonel Davenport^ of Rock Island, accompanied by a hand- 
bill describing the appearance of the three men. 

I at once suspected, from the description, the persons of 
John Long and Judge Fox, two of the witnesses for the 
Hodges, and a man calling himself Blecher, who had 
assisted Fox in the robbery of Beach, the Nauvoo merchant, 
a few days previous to the murder of Davenport, my sus- 
picions also fastened upon him, as the third of the persons 
referred to by the Colonel. 

Sheriff Estes at once addressed a letter to the Sheriff of 
Rock Island County, recommending him to consult with 
me as a person well acquainted in Nauvoo, and one employ- 
ed by the authorities of Lee County, to assist in the discov- 
ery of Tom Brown, one of the murderers, with the 
Flodges, of Miller and Liecy. 

I also appended a note f o the sheriff’s letter, stating my 
own belief as to the guilty persons, describing them from 


64 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


my own recollections, and offering my hearty co-operation 
in aid of their discovery and apprehension. 

On the 15th of July, Hibbard Moore, Esq., called upon 
me at my residence in Montrose, to whom I gave all the 
information in my power. He proceeded down the river, 
as far as Keokuk, but getting no track of the murderers, 
returned to Rock Island. 

In the meantime, by means of my correspondence, I 
ascertained the names of all the Hodges’ witnesses and 
other information relative to them. I also learned that the 
two Longs, Fox and Blecher were in the habit of stopping 
with a man by the name of Old Grant Redden, whose res- 
idence was appropriately located near Devil Creek, about 
five miles from Montrose. I discovered that this Redden 
kept a general rendezvous for the Banditti. There were 
four men seen at Redden’s about the 8th of July, and had 
soon after taken their departure for Missouri. I also heard 
that four or five men of suspicious appearance were lurking 
about Fort Madison on the 28th and 29th of June, and 
took passage on the steamboat Osprey for Galena. 

At the request of the friends of the late Colonel Daven- 
port, 1 visited Rock Island on the 21st of July, to give my 
aid and counsel in devising means to discover the murderers. 
Of course I found them all extremely anxious to get upon 
their track. But the whole affair was shrouded in t‘he deep- 
est mystery. A Mr. Bird was arrested on suspicion of 
being one of the murderers, and committed to the jail at 
Rock Island, but investigation clearly proved him innocent 
of the crime. Joseph Knox, Esq., of Rock Island, had in 
his possession a letter dated loth of July, from an eminent 
lawyer of Rockford, Aaron L. Miller, Esq., which he sub- 
mitted to my perusal. F rom this letter I discovered that 


65 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 

the description of the person who shot Colonel Davenport, 
, resembled the appearance of the notorious Birch, one of the 
most daring and desperate members of the gang. This 
Birch was a man of about twenty-five or thirty years of 
age, and had been suspected of robbery and even of mur- 
der, ever since he had attained the age of fifteen years. He 
was a well-made broad-breasted man, of a light complexion, 
large blue eyes, and light auburn hair; when fashionably 
dressed seemed rather slightly built. He was very loqua 
cious, and could play the bar-room dandy to perfection. 
Rock Island had been one of his most frequented haunts, 
where he was known by the name of Brown; he had also 
appeared in different parts of the country under the names 
of Birch, Harris and others. After robbing Mr. Mulford, 
in Winnebago County, he had sought the banks of the 
Mississippi, as the theatre of his exploits. He was also the 
chief operator in robbing McKinney and the stage of Frink, 
Walker & Co., etc., etc. He was undoubtedly one of the 
most adroit villains in the territory of the northwest. 

On the strength of this letter I brought the whole force 
of my investigation to bear upon this man Birch. My first 
discovery was, that he was the same man, known at Nau- 
voo, and already frequently mentioned in the narration, 
under the name of Blecher. This still confirmed my 
former opinon relative to the murderers of Colonel Daven- 
port. As yet, however, nothing had been discovered that 
would warrant their arrest, with any probability of their 
conviction, unless the money or watch could be found upon 
them. Being assured of a warm and free support in what- 
ever measures I might choose to adopt for the discovery of 
the murderers, I consented, after much persuasion, to devote 
my time and efforts to the undertaking. I was therefore 


66 


The Bandiiti of the Pt'airies, 


continually at work collecting information, and also in 
securing such legal documents as might be necessary for the 
arrest of suspected persons. 

On my return home from Rock Island sickness in my 
family compelled me to suspend all active exertion for a 
time, but I kept a watchful eye upon the movements of the 
gang in my immediate vicinity, and thought upon various 
schemes to get track of the murderers. Some of the friends 
of the gang suspecting my design, and, with the intention 
of misleading me, told me that the watch taken from 
Colonel Davenport, was then in the possession of one of the 
Banditti, by the name of Millard, who was then near 
Galena, and that the murderers themselves were on the 
Illinois river; with many other equally false reports. 

About this time, the citizens of Montrose became exas- 
perated beyond endurance at the repeated and almost daily 
larcenies committed in their neighborhood, and some stolen 
property being traced to the house of a man by the name of 
Potter, living on the bank of the Mississippi, half a mile 
above the town, and who kept a ferry known as Thier 
Ferry, for the accommodation of the Nauvoo portion of the 
gang, determined to check the operations of the band of 
thieves, by what appeared to be the only remedy. 

Some twenty or thirty of the citizens collecting together, 
proceeded to the house of Potter, and removing all the 
furniture from the house, laid the dwelling level with the 
ground. 

Potter, breathing vengeance, removed his effects to Nau- 
voo, and took up his residence with' the most noted members 
of the gang. The citizens then determined to make a 
similar ejectment of Old Redden from Devil’s Creek. I 
however earnestly remonstrated against this attempt, and 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


6 ^ 


after much persuasion induced them to abandon it. I 
showed them that an interference with the Reddens at this 
time might be the means of counteracting all my plans 
relative to ferreting out the murderers of Davenport. 

At length, my suspicions of the assassins were fully cor- 
roborated. A certain John Baker, one of the gang, came 
into Montrose, soon after the destruction of Potter’s house, 
with a splendid span of bay horses which he offered for sale. 
I took occasion to converse with Baker frequently, and par- 
tially gained his confidence. After many allusions to the 
various operations of the Banditti, in a manner calculated to 
carry the idea to him that I was in fact “ one of the b’hoys,” 
I at length ventured to mention the name of the Longs, and 
F ox, with others of the gang. 

“Ah!” said he, “you are acquainted with Fox?” 

“ Well acquainted with all of them,” was the reply. 

“ Where are the boys now ? ” 

I don’t know exactly. I have not seen them for some 
time.” 

“I have not seen Fox and the Longs in several months,” 
said Baker, “since last winter I have been in the upper 
part of Missouri, and have not known much of what was 
going on along the river.” 

“Are you acquainted with the Reddens?” 

“ Only by reputation. I have frequently heard the boys 
speak of them.” 

“ I think you might learn where some of our fellows are, 
by going to old man Redden’s. They usually stop with 
him when in this vicinity; he lives onl^ four or five miles 
distant.” 

“ I would like to see some of them,” said Baker, “ I used 
to travel with them, but Fox and I have had a little difficulty 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 


6S 

about some property we once owned in company, so I 
concluded to sparate — let them go to the devil their 
own way, and I will go mine. ” 

“What property was it?” 

“Oh! some goods we had up on the Sharridon river. 
Fox went south to spend the winter, while I staid 
behind to sell the goods. When he returned, he in- 
sisted that I did not account for all 1 had sold. I would 
not stand this, so we dissolved partnership, and since 
then I have not had much deal with him. Yet I would 
like to see some of the old fellows.” 

“Then you had better get on a horse and ride out to 
Redden’s. It will take you but a short time. If you 
go, you need not mention my name, as I am not per- 
sonally acquainted with the old man, and he might 
think something was wrong.” 

“I won’t — never fear. I know how to satisfy him 
that I am all right.” 

Saying this. Baker left me, and soon after started 
for Devil Creek. After being gone nearly a da}?", he 
returned. I asked him what luck he had had. 

“First rate,” he replied. 

“Did you see any of the boys?” 

“No, but I heard all about them.” 

“What did you hear?” 

“Why, d — n it, man,” he said in a low whisper 
“they are the ones who killed old Col. Davenport.” 

“Is it SO? How do you know that?” 

'‘'‘Old Redde7i told me all about it.” 

“He did? I should have thought he would have 
kept close about that.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


69 


“ When I first got there, the old man was a little afraid 
of me, but I told him who I was, and he recollected hearing 
the boys speak of me. So, becoming satisfied that I was 
one of the right stripe^ he told me the whole story.” 

“ Well,” replied I, “keep a tight mouth about it, or the 
boys will get into trouble. What is the old man’s history 
of the affair ? ” 

“ Fox, John, Aaron, and Birch started from Old Redden’s 
to rob the Colonel, and when they returned with their 
booty, they buried the watch and money in the old fellow’s 
wheat field. They staid there until they received information 
that Davenport was dead, when they put off.” 

“ Where are they now ? ” 

“They went back into Missouri, but Old Redden does 
not know exactly where they are at this time.” 

“ They are safe, anyway, I suppose.” 

“ Oh, yes ! they are acquainted all through the country, 
and have got lots of friends.” 

“How did they hear that the old Colonel was dead?” 

“ x\aron Long and Harrison Redden went over to Nau- 
voo, and while there saw a handbill describing three of 
them, the watch, and part of the money. They returned to 
Old Redden’s, told the news to John, Fox, and Birch, and 
they all left the same night.” 

This intelligence connected with circumstances previously 
brought to light, fully confirmed in my own mind, the 
guilt of the two Longs, Fox, and Birch. Also the guilt of 
the Reddens as accessories. Still there was not a particle 
of direct evidence, and much remained to be done. 

Sheriff Estes and James Knox, Esq., were informed of 
the facts elicited by my conversation with Baker, but the 
same was necessarily kept from the public. 

.5 


70 


*rhe Banditti of the Prairies* 


A ray of hope had at length dawned upon us. We were 
satisfied that we knew who the murderers were. The task 
which remained was to discover the evidence necessary to 
convict them. It is a beautiful feature of the great system 
of law, that the clearest and most undoubted evidence is 
always required in order to convict the criminal, and the 
fact that the ends of justice are sometimes defeated by this 
strict requisition does not at all militate against its equity as 
a fixed and abstract rule of action. 

On the 1st of August I received a letter from Mr. 
Samuel Fisher of Rock Island, in which he spoke of inform-, 
ation obtained by Mr. Knox, relative to that portion of the 
Banditti who infested the country in and around Dixon, 
Developments had been made by a late member of the gang 
named West, by which it was ascertained that this same 
Robert H. Birch was their acknowledged leader, and 
generally known among them by the name of “ The Cap- 
tain,” though often assuming the aliases above spoken of: 
Bob Harris, Haines, Brown, Blecher, etc. The description 
of him in this letter accords fully with the one already 
given. He frequently made a temporary abiding place at 
the residence of a man by the name of Bennet, in Iowa, four 
miles above Lyons, on the Mississippi river. 

This letter also gave a minute description of James 
Veasey, John Killgore, alias Big Davis, William Sutton, 
(whose real name was William Fox,) and stated that 
Governor F ord of Illinois had offered a reward of two hun- 
dred dollars for the apprehension of each person concerned 
in the murder of Colonel Davenport. 

I continued my search in Nauvoo and its vicinity, 
obtaining additional items of importance, until the 7th of 
August, when I received a letter by the hands of Mr. 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 


T 

Fisher, which it may not be uninteresting to give verbatim, 
as showing the deep feeling of the community in relation to 
the horrid murder: 

Rock Island, Aug. 6, 1845. 

Dear Sir: Mr. Fisher starts for your place to-day with 
a view to render you any and all the aid he can in ferreting 
out the murderers. Our anxiety for the speedy arrest of 
these wretches is so great, that we feel inclined to sacrifice 
time, money, comfort, anything and everything, to effect 
the object. 

We cluster all our hopes around your plans and efforts. 
Don’t let us be disappointed. Heaven send you prosperity 
and success. With much esteem. 

Yours truly, 

Joseph Knox. 

With those who had watched the movements of the 
gang, and carefully noted the intelligence received from 
different sources up to the present time, not a shadow of 
doubt remained as to the guilt of Fox, Birch and the two 
Longs. How many more were concerned as accessories, 
it was impossible to imagine. All who were in possession 
of this information were eager for the pursuit and arrest of 
the villains. 

Yet as far as I had investigated the circumstances, I was 
unable to point even to one item of testimony that would 
legally prove their guilt before a court and jury. The 
description given by Col. Davenport of itself could avail 
nothing. The fact of their participating in other crimes 
had nothing to do with the case now under consideration, 
and any indirect information drawn from members of the 
gang, could not of course be brought into use as competent 
evidence. I confess, that confident as I was in my knowl- 
edge of the guilty persons, I felt much disheartened in view 


72 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 


of the present aspect of the case. The idea of attempting 
to pursue and arrest four desperate robbers and murderers, 
who were constantly committing their deeds of darkness, 
and escaping from point to point under cover of the night, 
and changing their names with every change of the wind, 
with no other track than the one left in their flight from 
Old Redden’s, and that already one month old, certainly 
gave little prospect of success. I felt most heartily willing 
to aid the authorities of Rock Island to the extent of my 
ability, yet to assume the responsibility of conducting an 
enterprise of this magnitude was a task I could not willing- 
ly undertake. The threats made by the Banditti against 
me individually, in consequence of the part I had already 
taken in the arrest and prosecution of the Hodges, convinced 
me that some danger must attend the undertaking. 

After careful thought and reflection, however, I came to 
the decision, that the duty which I owed to my fellows, as 
one of the members of the great social compact, was supe- 
rior to all other considerations, and this determination being 
once adopted, my after course of action was pursued without 
fear or hesitation. 

On the nth of August I again visited Rock Island, and 
held a consultation with some of the prominent citizens of 
the place and neighborhood. 

In this consultation the subject was viewed in two lights. 
We must either abandon all hopes of bringing the murder- 
ers to justice, submit quietly to the ravages of the Banditti, 
and suffer ourselves, our friends and our neighbors, to share 
the fate of Miller, Liecy, and Davenport, or, on the other 
hand, the most earnest and determined effort must be made 
to rescue the distracted country from the ruthless ravages 
of this organized band. 


73 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 

It was finally decided that some person should be selected 
whose duty it should be to adopt some plan to get admitted 
as one of the members of the gang; obtain their full confi- 
dence, and by searching out, and connecting facts, eventually 
secure the arrest and conviction of the guilty wretches. 

I w^as earnestly solicited to undertake this dangerous ad- 
venture. I declined, and plead my situation in excuse. I 
had a wife and children, and failure in the attempt was cer- 
tain death. But no other person could be found who was 
considered competent to the task, and the visage of the ven- 
erable and lamented Davenport — his gray hairs clotted with 
blood, and his frame distorted in the agonies of a terrible 
death, cried aloud for vengeance and justice. 

I at length consented, expecting and receiving a pledge 
for the support and protection of my family and the educa- 
tion of my children, in the event of my losing my life in the 
adventure. 

I obtained the necessary legal documents from the author- 
ities of Rock Island County, and prepared to proceed to 
Galena and the mining regions of Wisconsin and Iowa, with 
letters to Hons. Judge Brown, J. P. Hoge, Judge Wilson, 
and General Wilson, citizens of Galena and Dubuque. In 
these letters the secret and hazardous nature of my business 
was fully set forth, and their co-operation solicited, which I 
need not say was readily accorded. 

At Dubuque, his Honor Judge Wilson accompanied me 
to the Miner’s Bank, and aided me in obtaining blank sheets 
of bank notes, by the possession of which I hoped to decoy 
the gang into full confidence. 

At the risk of being considered somewhat too minute, I 
shall proceed to narrate my endeavors to get admission to 
the ranks of the Banditti, in some of which I was on the 
wronir tracks or at least not in the most direct one. 


I 


CHAPTER VIII. 


THE REVELATIONS OF GRANVILLE YOUNG. 

HE day following my visit to the Miners’ Bank at 



X Dubuque, I returned to Galena and made vigilant 
search for the man said to have possession of Col. Daven- 
port’s watch. At length I found a man that I believed to 
be the person. 

Addressing him without introduction, and with the free- 
dom which the frankness and cordiality of Western life and 
social intercourse justifies, after some prelirhinary and unim- 
portant conversation, I said : 

“ Sir, I have your name from a source which I think en- 
titles me to approach you in a confidential manner. Have 
you a private room at the hotel ?” 

“ Yes ! follow me,” he said, conducting me to his apart- 
ment. 

“ Look at these articles,” said I, drawing the bank bills 
from my pocket, and presenting them for his inspection, 
“ What do you think of them 

After a long and critical examination, he replied : 

“ They are very good, but I think the paper is a little 
thinner than that issued by the bank.” 

“Not much,” was my answer; “they may appear thin 
now, but by use, you know, they will collect dirt, and be- 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 75 

come rough, when they will seem about as thick as the 
genuine note paper.” 

“ They are the best I ever saw in this country; but we are 
too near the bank for a successful disposition of them. Being 
rather thin, they would soon be detected. It is only fifteen 
miles from here to the Dubuque Bank.” 

“ I know it is not far,” I said, “ yet I believe we might 
put a few thousand of these bills in circulation around 
Galena, without detection.” 

“Perhaps so. I acknowledge it is a strong temptation? 
but I do not want to touch the matter. Let me tell you, 
sir, I am now doing a good, honest business — no matter what 
I have done. I have had nothing to do with matters of this 
kind since I left Detroit. If I should be suspected it would 
injure me more than all I could make out of it. But there 
are enough others who would be glad to get as good an 
article as this.” 

“ I know that well enough.” 

“ How much of it have you ?” 

“ About fifteen thousand dollars.” 

“ A good operation ought to be made out of that amount.” 

“Yes. Are you acquainted in this part of the country?” 

“ I am generally acquainted in this vicinity.” 

“Do you know the name of Long or Fox?” 

“ No, not any by those names.” 

“ If I could find them, I think we could come to an under- 
standing very soon.” 

“ The only man in this part of the country I am acquainted 
with who deals in matters of this kind, lives three or fourt 
miles east of here. You had better go and see him. A 
any rate, I won’t have anything to do with it.” 


76 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


I had become convinced that this man had no connection 
whatever with the Banditti, and was not the one described 
as having possession of Col. Davenport’s watch. Although 
it is probable, that at some period of his life, he had been 
engaged in criminal transactions, yet, as he had manifested 
a desire to abandon them, and lead an honorable life, I will 
not mention his name. It is very difficult to return to the 
path of virtue, after having wandered in the by-ways of 
vice, and when any one attempts it, all should be cautious 
how they throw impediments in the way. 

I, however, called upon the man he referred me to, but 
got no intelligence whatever from him. 

After spending several days among the lead mines, and 
becoming satisfied that the story of the watch being in that 
neighborhood was a ruse intended to mislead me, I took 
passage on board the steamboat War Eagle, bound for St. 
Louis. 

Soon after leaving the port, a young man addressed me 
by my name. I did not at first remember him. 

“ My name is Young,” he said, “ I was sick last winter 
in Loomis’ tavern atNauvoo, and saw you occasionally in 
the bar-room. I finally remembered hearing of him, as 
one of the gang, at the time of my search after Tom Brown. 

“ Seeing that we are old acquaintances, Mr. Young,” I 
said “ suppose we go into the saloon and take a social 
glass!” 

“ Agreed,” he said. 

“ What kind of speculation are you , in now-a-days?” I 
asked as we touched glasses. ” 

“Nothing in particular. I have been at work of late a 
few miles from Galena. A while ago, I was up as far as 
Prairie du Chien, on a little operation.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies, • 77 

“ I think I am not mistaken,” said I, “ in taking you for 
one of the right strife P ” 

“Well, I don’t know! What do you call the right 
strife P ” 

“ Pshaw, you know what I mean.” 

A half smile played around his lips as he replied: 

“ Oh, if you mean a fellow that likes a glass now and 
then, I am of the right stripe — let’s take another!” 

I found this man constantly on his guard, and returning 
with him to the hurricane deck, after much conversation in 
which I aimed to draw from him some account of the oper- 
ations of the gang, I was obliged to give him up for a bad 
job, as far as the present time was concerned. 

Early the next morning I again met Young in the saloon, 
and walking to the hurricane deck, I accosted him with 
the remark, that I had heard his name mentioned as one of 
our sort of boys, “and,” continued I, “ if you will promise me 
the most profound secresy, I would like to show you a little 
matter that is worth looking at.” 

“ I promise,” he said. 

“ Look at these blank bills on the Miners’ Bank at Du- 
buque, and see if you could tell them from the genuine.” 

After a very close inspection, he remarked, 

“That’s a d d good article : how much of it have you 

got?” 

“ Only enough for a sample, with me.” 

“ How much can you raise like it ?” 

“ About fifteen thousand dollars. I must, however, go 
to Cincinnati first, as none of it as yet is filled up or signed.” 

“ It is really a splendid imitation. How much do you 
ask per dollar for it?” 


78 


The Banditti o'f’ the Prairies, 


“ I don’t know exactly, 'until I count up all of the ex- 
penses connected with preparing it.” 

“ It is worth the highest price !” 

“ How much do you usually pay for this kind of article ?” 

“ We pay from fifteen to twenty-five dollars a hundred. 
When it is new, if good, like this, it is worth about twenty- 
five per cent. After it it detected, and blown in the news- 
papers, of course it is not worth so much.” 

“ No, certainly not.” 

“ I’ll give you twenty-five per cent for this, and find a 
market for all you have or can raise.” 

“ I don’t think I can afford it for twenty-five dollars on a 
hundred. It has cost me a pile of money to get it up, and 
it is about as good as the genuine bills right out of the 
bank.” 

“ True, it is.” 

“ I think I ought to have half the face of it, but if I can 
make sale of all I have, I will let it go for something less. 
I shall, however, insist upon the best kind of funds, if I 
sell it for anything short of fifty per cent.” 

“ That is fair enongh,” said he, still continuing to gaze 
upon the money with undisguised admiration. 

“Besides it will takejpne some time to go to Cincinnati, 
and get it all signed, and return with it.” 

“ That will just suit me, for my pockets are pretty light 
now. I’m nearly strapped. I shall make a raise pretty 
soon, however, and I know lots of the boys who will buy 
it.” 

“You ought not to get dead broke, when you have 
nothing to do but to rake down some man, and there are 
plenty of them in this part of the country who have got 
money.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


79 


“ It is not so easy making a raise, when one is broke; 
half the sights we undertake are failures. Then we have 
a good many to divide with, and it costs fellows of our free 
and easy habits something to live.” 

“ Yes, so it does.” 

“ When I have money, I always spend it freely.” 

“ That’s the only way to live.” 

“ As far as I am concerned, I would not live any other,” 

“ But you occasionally raise a horse, and make something 
that way, do you not?” 

“Yes, that was my operation at Prairie du Chien;I took 
two good horses up there, but sold them cheap, and have 
been spreeing it ever since.” 

“ Are you entirely out of money ? ” 

“ I haven’t got enough to pay my fare on the boat, but I 
'shall raise some at Nauvoo. I have lots of friends in that 
place.” 

“ Let me lend you a few dollars,” said I, handing them to 
him. “ You can repay me at some convenient time.” 

“ Thank you, I can go through on this.” 

“ I never allow any of the right stripe to want for money 
when I have plenty myself.” 

“You are a d d good, whole-souled fellow. I was a 

little afraid of you at first.” 

“No more than was proper. We must all be careful. I 
suppose the boys about Nauvoo have plenty of money now. 
They have made some pretty good hauls of late.” 

“Yes, I reckon they have. I have not been in Nauvoo 
since spring. I shall stop there now.” 

“Do you know Jack Redden of Devil Creek?” 

“Very well.” 

“ What do you think of him ? ” 


So The Banditti of the Prairies, 

“ I don’t like him. He is not honorable among his 
friends.” 

“ Is he not? I thought he was true blue.” 

“ I have been in a good many snaps with Jack. He 
always manages to get the money into his own hands, and 
holds on to it, like the cholera to a nigger. I know of sev- 
eral good sights which I intend to raise as soon as 1 can get the 
right kind of boys to help me, but Jack Redden can’t have 
a chance in; he has cheated me enough already.” 

“ Were it not that I must go to Cincinnati immediately, 
I would like to go in with you.” 

“ I would like to have you.” 

“ How many would be necessary to raise the sights 

“ Three or four would be enough.” 

“ Where are they ?” 

“ Two at Dubuque, one in Iowa nearly opposite the 
mouth of the Fever River, and three or four a few miles 
from Galena in the lead mines.” 

“ Why did you not raise them when you were up there?” 

“ The boys up around Galena are d — d cowards. They 
dare not do anything. There is Millard who keeps a 
grocery about two miles east of Galena. He is a great 
braggart, but dare not do anything without some of us go 
ahead ; and then he is as leaky as an old boat, always telling 
everything. I dare not have anything to do with him. 
Then there is Aaron Long, but he won’t do anything with- 
out the Judge.” 

“ Ah ! ” thinks I to myself, “ thank heaven, I am getting 
him into the true track at last.” 

“ So, you see,” continued he, “ the boys are all lying on 
their oars. I wouldn’t give a d — n for such partners.” 

“ Who do you mean by the Judge?” 


8i 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 

“ You must know him!” 

“ The boys go by so many different names that it is possi- 
ble I may know him under some other title.” 

“His name is Fox, and we all look upon him as one of 
our leaders.” 

“Can you get Fox to help you make those raises about 
Galena and Dubuque, by the time that I return from Cin- 
cinnati, with these fifteen thousand dollars in Dubuque 
paper ? ” 

“ I am afraid he has left this part of the country, and will 
not return until fall. Then he will be in Galena, and the 
boys won’t do much until he does return.” 

“ If Fox does not return in time, can’t we pursuade Aaron 
Long to help us? I do not see why we should all wait for 
Fox.” 

“ Aaron told me that he should stay at his father’s, out 
six miles from Galena, until the Judge and John Long come 
back. Besides, I and Aaron are not good friends. He was 
dead broke a while ago and I lent him t<venty dollars, which 
he won’t pay me now, and he has made a good raise since, 
too. In fact, the reason I am out of money now is that he 
won’t do the fair thing by me.” 

“ Does Old Long understand all the boys’ operations?” 

“ Yes, and the old woman, too.” 

“Does she? ” 

“ Yes ! she is keener than all the rest of the family put 
together.” 

“Do John Long and the Judge travel together?” 

“ Yes, they have done so for the last three or four years, 
and shared equally in all they could raise.” 

“ I think we had better get some of the boys from 
Nauvoo, to help us raise your sights, I believe Jack 
Redden can be made to divide honorably.” 


82 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 


“ Well, I don’t. He is not to be trusted. Just let me tell 
you one of his d d mean operations.” 

“A while ago I took a trip with him and William 
Louther, over on the Illinois River. Louther parted from 
us at Pekin and ascended the river to look up some sights. 
Jack Redden and I stopped there with an old Momon, and 
staid several days While there, Jack preached several 
times in the neighborhood — pretty fair sermons, too, as 
well as I can judge of such articles. They all seem to have 
about the same quantity of fire and brimstone in them, as 
though men were to be frightened into heaven, rather than 
reasoned there. Jack put in the big licks, till he made 
some of them look blue. 

“Well, we found the old man had lots of money in the 
house, and thought it would be charitable to relieve him of 
some of it. So Jack fixed up a story and told the old Mor- 
mon, that Brigham Young wanted to get specie, to pur- 
chase materials for the Holy Temple, that could not be 
obtained for any thing but gold and silver. 

“ The old Mormon expressed his willingness to make the 
exchange of specie for bills if it would accommodate Brig- 
ham, and gave Jack the gold for a hundred dollar counter- 
feit bill. A good load — that of Jack’s! was’n’t it?” 

“ The old Mormon had sixteen or seventeen hundred 
dollars in specie left, and we noticed particularly in what 
part of the house he kept it, and made an agreement with 
each other to go back and raise it. 

“ When Louther returned, we all started off up the river, 
and made an easy raise of about two hundred and forty 
dollars. I did most of this thing myself. I crawled in at a 
window, over a bed where two persons were sleeping. 
While getting in, I accidentally put my hand on a person’s 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


S3 


face, where two persons were sleeping in one bed. Neither 
of them, however, awoke, and I crept on to a desk contain- 
ing the money, appropriated it as quietly as possible, and 
escaped by the same window ; making off without waking 
any one in the house. After this adventure, J ack proposed 
that we should part for a few days, and appoint a place for 
meeting. Suspecting nothing, we agreed, and the rascal, 
the next night went back to the old Mormon’s alone, and 
entering the house, took all his gold, and an hundred dollar 
counterfeit bill which he had passed upon him, and made 
off with it without being discovered. He then went and 
buried it, and would not divide with us. All I got was a 
third of the two hundred and forty dollars, and such is the 
way Jack Redden always serves his comrades. I have 
determined to have no more to do with him.” 

“Well, he is a shrewd fellow.” 

“Yes, too d — d shrewd for me.” 

“Are you acquainted with the old man Redden, and 
William H. Redden?” 

“Oh, yes! I always stop with them. Redden is a fine 
old fellow. He always keeps the boys when they want to 
stop with him; and lets them pay up when they are a 
mind to. Harrison lives at home with the old m<iu -md 
don’t travel much. He is more honorable in his deal with 
the boys than Jack is.” 

“ I suppose the old man and Harrison know all about 
your business?” 

“Yes, they understand all that is going on. After stop- 
ping a few days at Nauvoo, I shall go over to the old man’s 
and stay several weeks.” 

“Will the Judge and the Longs like to get some of my 
Dubuque paper?” 


84 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


“Yes, they will take lots of it.” 

“ Will they raise much money this summer?” 

“ They have made some pretty good raises recently.” 

“ I suppose they raise some good horses ?” 

“ Yes, and they look up some first-rate sights!” 

“ Some of the boys made a good raise lately from Col- 
onel Davenport. They were smart enough not to get 
caught. I have no idea myself who they were.” 

“Oh! I know all about that.” 

“ Who were they ?” 

“Judge Fox, Birch, John Long and Aaron Long are the 
ones who robbed Col. Davenport.” 

“ I was told that Davenport, in his description, spoke only 
of three men.” 

“ V ery true ! those were all he saw — but Aaron stood 
sentry outside, while Fox, John and Birch did the work 
in the house.” 

“ How much did they get?” 

“ I saw Aaron, but he would not tell me how much they 
got. He tried to make me think they got only a small sum, 
but I knew better. I saw him have a large roll of Missouri 
bills, and some silver, and tried to have him pay me that 
twenty dollars he owed me, but he refused.” 

“ Did you know anything of the Davenport matter, before 
Aaron told you ? ” 

“ Yes, I will tell you all about it. I had been out on the 
Illinois river, and raised two horses near Hennepin, I run 
them across the country to Fort Madison, where I met the 
Longs, Birch and Fox. I had not seen them for several 
months, and inquired what they were doing. They said 
they were going up to Rock Island to 7'ake down an old 
man. I asked them if they had a good sight. They said 


71ie Banditti of the Prairies, 85 

that they had, and expected to raise thirty or forty thousand 
dollars. I proposed to go in with them for the sight, but 
they refused, saying that their company was made up, and 
that four was enough to make the raise. I insisted on going 
in, as I had been with them in a good many hard scrapes, 
in which we had made little or nothing. But they would 
not admit me; stating that they had already been at a good 
deal of expense, and would be obliged to divide with the 
man who had got up the sight for them. I left them and 
went out to Devil Creek to rest my horses for a few days — 
then run up to Prairie du Chien; sold my horses, and 
returned to old man Long’s where I have been staying until 
I started on this trip down the river.” 

“Have you seen the boys since you left them at Fort 
Madison? ” 

“ None but Aaron, he was at his father’s when I arrived 
there from Prairie du Chien.” 

Does old Long do anything at this business ? ” 

“Not much. He only keeps a station, and takes care of 
what the boys bring to him to deposit.” 

“ Did Aaron tell you where the boys met after robbing 
the old Colonel?” 

“ They all left the island together, and went down the 
river to Old Redden’s, where they staid until news reached 
them that Davenport was dead, when Aaron returned home 
to his father’s, and Fox, John and Birch went back into 
Missouri. 

“ W ell, I suppose they will know enough to take care of 
themselves and not get caught.” 

“No danger of that. They are old hands at the business; 
know how to take care of themselves, and have plenty of 
friends.” 

6 


86 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


Through this long conversation, Young naa made his 
statements without seeming to have any suspicion; and I 
determined to keep him talking, as his information was 
already very valuable, and more yet might be obtained from 
him. 

“ Have you made any raises since you sold your horses at 
Prairie du Chien?” 

“No; I tried a small one when I reached Dubuque, but 
did not succeed. I was lounging in a store, and seeing the 
merchant changing some money, noticed a quantity of gold 
in his desk. 1 accordingly watched the store, and while he 
was at supper, entered the back door, and approached the 
desk, when, hearing him upon the front steps, I ran out as 
he was opening the door, and escaped unnoticed.” 

“ After watching for several days, I got in again, and was 
in the very act of opening the desk, when the merchant 
entered at the front door. This was just at the dusk of 
evening. I left very suddenly, as you may imagine, with 
the merchant at my heels, crying ‘stop thief, stop thief,’ at 
the top of his lungs. I ran through the alley, and towards 
the river, with all possible expedition. 

“ Near the bank of the river was a house kept by some 
girls of the right sort, with whom I was well acquainted. 
When I burst into the house, the merchant was but a few 
steps behind me. I cried to the girls to hide me.” 

“Here,” said big Maria, “squat in the corner of the 
room,” and she threw some bed clothes over me. 

“ Where is the thief,” cried the merchant, entering the 
room, the next instant, puffing and blowing like a porpoise. 

“ Who do you mean?” asked Big Maria, very innocently. 

“ Did not a man just come in here?” 

“Yes, but he passed out at the back door.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 87 

“ Oh ! I’m after him then,” and away he went, snuffing 
and wheezing like a locomotive, and I saw no more of him. 
I tell you, friend ! there is nothing like a woman, to keep 
a man out of a scrape. She is quicker-witted than a man, 
and has more self-command in a tight place. The first 
raise I make I shall remember Big Maria — my word for 
that. I staid with the girls till about nine o’clock, and then 
left town for Galena, and old man Long’s.” 

“ How,” I asked, “ did the boys first learn that Col. 
Davenport had money, and by what means they could get 
it?” 

“ The man who got up the sight lives in the vicinity of 
Rock Island, and is quite well acquainted with the 
family of Col. Davenport. He has lived with him, worked 
for him, and knows all about the situation of the house. 
About two weeks before the boys made the raise he went 
to Davenport’s house, spent the afternoon, and took supper 
with the family, under pretence of a friendly visit, but for 
the real purpose of ascertaining the situation of the family 
at the time, to enable the boys to decide upon the most 
practicable mode of attack. 

“ He ascertained that there were four men in the family 
at the time, that they all slept in the upper room, and were 
well supplied with weapons of defence, and that the old 
man kept his money in a chamber.” 

“ Did you learn the name of this man who got up the 
sight ?” 

“No; in relating the circumstances the boys did not 
mention his name.” 

“ Do you think they have gone so far into Missouri that 
they will not return by the time I get back from Cincinnati 
with the $15,000 of Dubuque paper? I really want to go in 
with you to raise the sights you speak of.” 


88 


The Banditti of the Prairies^ 


“ They will go to St. Louis, and probably to Indiana, 
before they return, and will not be in this part of the 
country before next fall.” 

“ As soon as I get back with this bogus^ and supply you 
and your friends, if there is no better speculation on hand I 
want to take an extensive trip through the country.” 

“ You would have a great time.” 

‘‘ I suppose you are acquainted with all the boys, and can 
tell me where to go, and who to call upon that are of the 
right strife y''* 

“Yes, I know all the boys south and west, as well as 
those about the lead-mines. I can give you four hundred 
names if you want them, but you won’t need so many.” 

“ Oh, no.” 

“ Tell me which way you want to travel, and I will give 
you a few names to call on, and those I introduce you to, 
can give you all the names you will want in travelling from 
point to point.” 

“ I intend to journey through Missouri to St. Louis; and 
perhaps travel east or south from that city.” 

“ If you leave the Mississippi and travel west, call on 
Packard^ at Packard’s Grove, on the Sharridon River, 
near the line between Missouri and Iowa, about one 
hundred miles west of the Mississippi River. He keeps a 
station there, and knows all the boys in the upper part of 
Missouri. Fox always puts up with him when he travels 
in that part of the country. 

“ In St. Louis, find Thomas Reynolds who keeps a livery 
stable, near the corner of Third and Plume Streets. A 
good many of our fellows stop with him, and he buys 
horses of them. He is an honorable man, and knows all 
the boys about St Louis. I know him well; just tell him I 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 89 

told you to call on him, and that will be sufficient introduc- 
tion. 

“ On the road leading from St. Louis to St. Charles, 
about five miles from the city, you will find a man by the 
name of Raymond, 

yohn Birch.^ father of the Birch who was with F ox and 
the Longs, when they robbed old Davenport, lives nine 
miles south-west of Marshall, the county seat of Clark 
County, Illinois. He keeps a station, and knows all the 
boys in that vicinity. For a few more of the best kind 
of fellows I refer you to yohn Stow in Vandalia, Illinois; 
Hiram Long.^ cousin to John and Aaron Long; Shock 
Phifs.^ and yohn Singleton.^ all living in the same town, 
in Owen .County, Indiana, south-east of Terre Haute, near 
Eel River; yack Burton.^ in Spice Valley, Indiana, and 
JS. B, Logan., in Memphis, Tennessee.” 

You can call on any of those men. They are all true 
blue, and of the right strife. They will give you all the 
information, and render you all the assistance you will need, 
if you will iust tell them that you are a friend of Granville 
ToungP 

Thus ended the precious revelations of this rascal. I 
trust the reader will not consider my long conversation 
with him devoid of interest. He will perceive that it was 
of great importance to me in my arduous undertaking; 
containing a full and explicit statement of the steps of the 
murderers, previous to the attack upon the mansion of the 
lamented Davenport. 

It also proved that more than Fox, Birch, and the Longs 
were engaged in that cowardly murder, involving himself 
as accessory, and placing me upon the track of a new, and 
perhaps greater scoundrel, than either of those actually 


90 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


engaged in the murder; I mean the villain, who under the 
guise of friendship, had obtained the necessary information 
for them, and who was plotting it, even when sharing the 
hospitality and kindness of the venerable old man, beneath 
the shadow of his own roof. 


CHAPTER IX. 


D etention of the steamer at Rock Island, enabled 
me to disclose to those who were in possession of my 
sceret purpose, the important communications received 
from Granville Young, and to make further arrangements 
to prosecute the search for the three murderers who left 
Redden’s for Missouri. 

When I had narrated the particulars of the part acted by 
the man who had visited at the house of Col. Davenport, 
under the garb of friendship, George L. Davenport, Esq., 
recognised, in the description, the person of one John 
Baxter, who had been for several years, and was, at the 
time of the murder, a resident of Rock Island, but soon 
after that event had removed to Jefferson, Wisconsin, 
wholly unsuspected. 

This scoundrel, John Baxter, whose name should be 
printed upon his front, in letters as black as his heart, was 
now a prominent object of attention, and we rejoiced that, 
in the event of his conviction, his punishment, as accessory, 
would be no less severe than that of the active perpetrators 
of the murder. 

As the reader will notice, the present position of the 
murderers, as far as we had discovered who they were, 
was as follows; three of the principals, according to the 
intelligence received by Granville Young, were travelling 


92 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


in the gang. Aaron Long, the other of the murderers, 
was at his father’s, six miles east of Galena. John Baxter 
was in Jefferson, Wisconsin. Old Grant Redden and Wm. 
Redden, on Devil Creek, in Lee County, Iowa, and Gran- 
ville Young was then a passenger on the steamboat, on his 
way to Nauvoo, and Devil Creek. Most of these could be 
arrested at our pleasure, but it was determined to suffer the 
five to remain unmolested, and pursue Fox, John Long and 
Birch. This must be accomplished by following the trail 
marked out by Granville Young. 

Fearing that the Dubuque blank bills, which had suc- 
ceeded in winning the confidence of Young, might not be 
available in all parts of the country through which I must 
necessarily travel, I made arrangements, by the aid of 
Joseph Knox, Esq., and others, before leaving Rock Island, 
to obtain from the State Bank of Missouri, at St. Louis, 
such blank bills, and other accommodations as I might desire, 
to decoy the gang, and aid me in the pursuit of the mur- 
derers. 

Everything being satisfactorily arranged, and the most 
profound secresy enjoined upon all concerned in the plot, I 
left Rock Island upon my downward trip to St. Louis. 

Resuming my interview with Young, I obtained much 
additional information relative to the extensive organization 
and operations of the gang. 

This Young informed me that he was a native of Vir- 
ginia, and had been a member of the united Banditti for 
about seven years. He had left his native place about five 
years before my acquaintance with him commenced, with 
several stolen horses. Although vigorously pursued, he 
evaded his followers, and escaped with the horses into Ken- 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


93 

tucky; then crossing the Ohio River into Indiana, he dis- 
posed of his horses without suspicion. 

He also stated that Killgore^ alias Big Davis, who, with 
Birch and others, robbed Mulford, in Winnebago County, 
was then on Sherridon River, in the neighborhood of 
Packard’s Grove. ^ 

Granville Young left the War Eagle at Nauvoo, from 
whence he proceeded to Old Redden’s on Devil Creek, 
where he was afterwards arrested. 

On arriving at Montrose, I informed James Knox, Esq., 
of the present abiding place of Killgore, the notorious rob- 
ber, suggesting that he might be arrested without difficulty. 

I also discovered, by conversing with Mr. Loomis, of 
Nauvoo, that the bloody coats found near the Robbers’ 
Camp — so called — he thought he could indentify as being 
the coats of John Long and Fox. He also believed the 
gloves belonged to Birch. 

This Robbers’ Camp was found in the bluffs, south of 
Rock Island, and near it were discovered two coats stained 
with blood, concealed under leaves and rubbish. In a 
pocket of the coat were a pair of kid gloves, afterwards 
identified as the property of Birch. 

On the 23d of August I arrived at St. Louis. I found 
that notwithstanding the supposed secresy with which our 
plot was progressing, there was a leaky vessel some where 
among us, and that some inkling of our project had been 
seized upon by the editor of the Quincy Whig; in the last 
number of whose paper an article had appeared containing 
enough to put the murderers upon their guard. As this 
article had been copied into the St. Louis papers, my first 
undertaking was to have it contradicted, in which I suc- 
ceeded by the aid of Dr. Knox. I felt very much vexed 


94 


The Banditti of the Prairies » 


and disheartened at the discovery that some one or more of 
those in the secret had thus failed to exercise common pru- 
dence and caution in a matter of so much importance. I 
was almost inclined to return home, and abandon all hopes 
of arresting the perpetrators of the murder. I had at- 
tempted an enterprise, hazardous in the extreme — one in 
which a hope of pecuniary reward alone would never have 
induced me to engage in, and I certainly was excusable in 
feeling some discouragement at these premature develop- 
ments. It would have been time enough to have given 
facts to the public when it could have been done without 
prejudice to the public good. 

I completed the arrangement with the State Bank of 
Missouri, and obtained the blank bills agreeably to my 
request. 

While in St. Louis, Dr. Reuben Knox, and J. S. Dough- 
erty, City Marshal, rendered me all the assistance in their 
power, towards accomplishing the object of my mission. 

I inquired for Reynolds, livery stable keeper, to whom I 
had been referred by Young. His general character, as far 
as known, the Marshal informed me was good. I deter- 
mined, however, to give him a call. I met him in the 
street, and introduced myself as Mr. Brown. 

“ I have been referred to you Mr. Reynolds, as a gentle- 
man with whom it would be beneficial for me to have a 
little private conversation.” 

“ Who referred you to me.?” 

“Granville Young.” 

“ I don’t know any such man.” 

“ Do you not ?” 

“No.” 

“Do you know Thomas Brown of Nauvoo?” 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 


95 


“ No.” 

“ Do you know any one by the name of Long or Birch?” 

“ No, I do not.” 

“You are probably then, not the person I was referred to 
by my friend, Granville Young.” 

“ Where do you reside?” he asked. 

“ In no particular place. Wherever business calls me.” 

Reynolds watched the expression of my countenance very 
closely, and finally said — 

“ I think I understand your business.” 

“ That is sufficient. The public street is no place for 
confidential conversation.” 

“ I have no private room.” 

“ Is there no place in which we can meet ?” 

“ Anywhere you please.” 

“Well, I will get a horse and carriage at the Walton 
House and we will ride into the country.” 

“Very well! I will meet you at the Walton House in one 
hour from this time.” 

Reynolds met me punctually at the time of his appoint- 
ment. We rode through the principal streets, and were 
quite out of the city before I again introduced my business. 

“You may think, Mr. Reynolds!” I said, “that I am 
rather free for a stranger, but when I have satisfactory 
references, I am not backward in making business known, 
and have no fears that you will betray me.” 

“ I am not apt to betray contidence.” 

“Well, then, I will show you a little specimen of work, 
which I think will meet your approbation. What do you 
think of it?” 

I produced my blank bills on the Miners’ Bank and the 
State Bank of Missouri. After inspecting them he re- 
plied — r 


96 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 

“It is very good. How much have you like it?” 

“ Only a few samples, but will soon have plenty of it. 
When I return I would like to leave a few thousand in the 
city. Young tells me you are acquainted with all the boys 
in this vicinity, and would not hesitate to assist me.” 

“ I think I can render you some aid, if you request it. 
When I first met you, I thought best to be a little careful. 
It is squally times about here now. The officers are watch- 
ing for Tinker from Cincinnati, and some others, but they 
won’t find them I reckon.” 

“ Is Tinker in this city ? ” 

“ Yes, but he can’t be seen at present.” 

“ Are the boys doing anything in this part of the country 
now ? ” 

“Not much. I am well acquainted with the men whose 
names you mentioned, but I must confess I was at first 
afraid you were a spy.” 

“ I thought that Young would not misinform me.” 

“No; Young is true as steel.” 

“ He directed me to you as being able to accomplish more 
than any one here.” 

“ These are the best imitations of the genuine bills I ever 
saw. None but the best judges could detect them.” 

“ So I think myself. It costs a pile of money to engrave 
as good a plate as this, yet I believe I can realize a few 
thousand dollars out of it. 

“ I have no doubt you will do well with it. I don’t know 
of anything of the kind now in St. Louis. I have a little 
bogus gold but have been dealing mostly in horses, and 
keep a livery stable. I buy horses very cheap of the boys; 
then fit them up to suit myself, and take them down the 
river to sell.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 97 

“ Do you not occasionally have an owner come for a 
horse ?” 

“Not often! I have had as many as eighteen or twenty 
horses at one time, and never had one claimed. I usually 
keep them out of sight until I get them fitted for market, 
and changing their appearance as much as possible, I put 
them on board a steamboat, and run them down to the 
southern market. I remember once I got frightened; I 
took a horse of one of the boys, who had stolen him back 
in the country. Before I had time to fix up and dispose 
of the horse, the man who had stolen him was taken 
dangerously ill; his attending physician pronounced his 
disease incurable, and I was fearful that he would get 
frightened and confess every thing. In the meantime there 
was such close search for the horse, that I was compelled to 
keep him secreted; and I sheared and docked him, so as to 
change his appearance as much as possible. The fellow 
finally died, without blowing on anybody; and 

watching my opportunity, I got the horse down the river, 
sold him, and so the matter ended.” 

“ Are you dealing in horses now, or don’t the boys keep 
you well supplied.?” 

“ Not very well at present. I got two horses a few days 
ago. One of the Longs, Fox, and Birch, came here with 
three good horses, a few days since, and left two of them 
with me. I had no suitable place to keep them, so I took 
them out a few miles, and put them in pasture.” 

“ Y oung tells me that F ox and Birch are garnet'* 

“ They are — no mistake.” 

“ I would like to get acquainted with them. Don’t you 
think they will want to get some of the paper? I should 


98 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


be glad to supply them, with any quantity, upon my return. 
I suppose they always have plenty of money?” 

“ They appear to be flush. I never saw Birch until he 
came here the other day with Fox and Long. Fox I have 
been acquainted with for a long time, and believe I know 
as much about his business as any other man. He has 
plenty of money — has always been very successful, and 
never spends much.” 

“ What does he do with his money ? I suppose, of 
course, he don’t carry it about with him.” 

“ He tells me that he has about two thousand dollars se- 
creted in the bluffs on the Des Moines River, in Iowa, con- 
cealed in four separate bottles, corked and sealed air-tight. 
Fox is the most energetic fellow I ever saw. He doesn’t 
mind lying out three or four nights in succession to accom- 
plish his designs. Storms, cold, or heat, hunger, or fatigue, 
are all the same to him. When he once gets a good sight 
he never fails to raise it.” 

“ Is John Long as much of a hero as Fox?” 

“lam not as well acquainted with Long as with Fox. 
His physical powers are not equal to those of Fox, and he 
cannot endure as much.” 

“ Where did they raise their horses, which they have left 
with you?” 

“ In the upper part of Missouri. The one they did not 
leave with me, was the finest race mare I ever saw in my 
life. Fox said he would not take a thousand dollars for 
her.” 

“ Are the boys in St. Louis now ?” 

“ No, not now.” 

“ Where are they?” 

“ I don’t know exactly.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 99 

“I wish I could find him. Fox seems to be a splendid 
fellow.” 

“ Y es, and the others are of the right sbdpe.^'^ 

“ I suppose I cannot see them, then ?” 

“ They left St. Louis in a hurry about the first day of 
August. I was up town and happening to come across the 
Chicago Democrat, read an article containing the disclos- 
ures of West, and implicating Fox, Long, and Birch, in 
several robberies on Rock River, and also expressing the 
opinion that they were concerned in the Davenport mur- 
der, on Rock Island. I carried the paper home and showed 
it to the boys. They left St. Louis, and crossed to Illinois- 
town the same day. Just at night. Fox returned after his 
race mare; he swore that his name should never be Fox, 
alias Sutton again and said they were all going east.” 

“ Do you think they were concerned in the robbery and 
murder of Col. Davenport?” 

“ They did not tell me whether they did or not! I don’t 
know anything about it.” 

“ I suppose they are off on some good speculation ?” 

“Yes, Fox is always busy somewhere.” 

“ How much of my paper shall I reserve for you when I 
return from Cincinnati ?” 

“ If it is all as good as the sample, I shall want a consid- 
erable amount of it, but can’t tell exactly how much. I am 
trying to get a tavern stand up street. If I succeed in that 
I shall want a big pile of it. Don’t you want some of this 
gold ?” 

Reynolds handed me a counterfeit five dollar gold coin 
which I inspected. 

“I think not at present. I would not dare to pass it 
while having all these blank bills in my possession. If I 


L of C. 


lOO 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


should be arrested for passing the gold, and the bills found 
on me, it would not be an easy matter to get out of the 
scrape.” 

“You are right. I like to see the boys cautious, yet I 
would like to let you have a quantity of it, and we can 
make it all right when you return from Cincinnati.” 

“ I believe I will not meddle with it now.” 

After a pleasant half day’s ride around the beautiful 
environs of St. Louis, we returned to the city, the interview 
having given me fresh track of the murderers. 

After joining in a social glass of wine, and pledging my- 
self to visit Mr. Reynolds on my return with the sixty 
thousand dollars of counterfeit bank notes, I left him. I 
communicated the intelligence received from Reynolds to 
Dr. Reuben Knox, and also wrote to his brother at Rock 
Island, informing him of the necessity of my proceeding to 
Springfield, Illinois, to procure official documents. 

Feeling a renewed confidence that I should succeed in 
capturing the three murderers, I provided myself with three 
pair of handcuffs for the purpose of harnessing the ruffians 
whenever I might conie up with them, and on the morning 
of the 26th, I left St. Louis for Springfield, Illinois. 

At Edwardsville, twenty miles from St. Louis, I met 
with his excellency Governor Ford, of Illinois, on his way 
from Springfield to St. Louis, to whom I presented a letter 
of introduction from gentlemen of Rock Island. 

Governor Ford informed me that he had received docu- 
ments from that place by mail, in compliance with which, 
requisitions were prepared and left with Hon. Thomas 
Campbell, Secretary of State, subject to my order, 

I had a long conversation with Governor Ford relative 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 

to the murder of Col. Davenport, and the various schemes 
to attack and apprehend his murderers. 

His excellency remarked that I was placing my own 
life in jeopardy in this adventure. 

“ I am aware of all the dangers attending such an under- 
taking, but so long as this formidable banditti are permitted 
to prey upon the community, no one is safe. I know that 
my life is in danger, but it is for the public as well as my- 
self, that I incur the hazard. That man is unworthy the 
name and privileges of an American citizen, who shrinks 
back from any duty which he is called upon to perform by 
the voice of the community. Something must be done to 
check the ravages of this gang, and I for one had rather 
lose my life, m striving to protect the innocent and defence- 
less, than be slaughtered in cold blood like some of my 
neighbors.” 

“ I assure you, sir, that I sincerely hope your efforts will 
prove successful.” 

Reaching Springfield, I found that requisitions were not 
prepared to the governors of all the States, I wished, and 
as there was great uncertainty as to where the murderers 
might be found, I obtained blank requisitions with Governor 
Ford’s signature, under the seal of the State of Illinois, 
with power to fill the blanks with the name of any State 
in which I might wish to use them. 

I was uncertain what course to take ; but finally started 
for Terre Haute, and Indianapolis, Indiana. I reached 
Terre Haute on the ist of September; feeling satisfied that 
I had missed the track, but not discouraged, as my former 
success in extracting information from members of the 
gang led me to feel certain of soon regaining the proper 
line of pursuit. 


CHAPTER X. 


CONTINUED PURSUIT OF THE MURDERERS. 

FTER much reflection, I at length determined to 



act upon the information received from Granville 
Young. Thus far, I had found his statements correct, and 
as he had referred me to old yohn Birch^ the father of 
one of the murderers of whom I was in pursuit, and who 
resided at, or in the vicinity of Marshall, the county seat of 
Clark County, Illinois, I at once took passage for that 
place. Reaching it, I immediately disclosed the object of 
my journey to Wm. P. Bennett, Esq., Sheriff of the County, 
from whom I learned that the information I had received 
from Granville Young, relative to the residence and general 
reputation of John Birch, was correct. 

“ In this neighborhood,” said the Sheriff, “ Birch is 
almost universally known by the name of the ‘Old Coon.’ ” 

“ Doubtless he deserves the appellation.” 

“ He does, most certainly ! Many traps have been set 
to ensnare him, but he has succeeded until this time in 
outwitting us all.” 

“ Do you know his son?” 

“Robert Birch? Yes, he is well known here; but dare 
not show himself in the county of Clark.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 103 

“ I am inclined to think that he is concealed somewhere 
about his father’s house.” 

“ It would be well,” said the Sheriff, “ to watch the Old 
Coon’s house secretly. If Robert is hidden there the appear- 
ance of a stranger might excite suspicion, and defeat his 
being discovered and arrested. The Old Coon, — the father, 
is one of the shrewdest, most cautious and cunning men in 
all the Northwest. He is said to have been well educated, 
yet he feigns unusual ignorance, and will never sign his 
name in any business transaction.” 

Sheriff Bennett’s views were probably very judicious; 
notwithstanding, I determined to call upon the Old Coon, in 
his own house, believing that I could succeed in passing 
myself off as one of the gang with him, as well as with 
others. 

The road from Marshall to the habitation of Old Birch, 
a distance of nine miles, led through an exceedingly dense 
forest, and by a blind path, to follow which was nearly 
impracticable to a stranger. 

Sheriff Bennett kindly consented to accompany me a 
sufficient distance on my way to enable me to find the 
house. We traveled on horseback, and the Sheriff left 
me when we had come within half a mile of the house, 
and proceeded to a dense thicket in which he promised me 
that he would conceal himself and await my return. 

Following the direction the Sheriff had given me, for a 
short distance, I emerged from the thick forest and entered 
a large and partially cultivated enclosure, near the centre 
of which stood a miserable log cabin in a very dilapidated 
condition, almost crumbling to the ground. 

Leaving my horse at the edge of the wood, I approached 
the house cautiously on foot. The door was standing open. 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


104 

and within it, near the foot of the bed, sat a very old man. 
His appearance was wretched and poverty-stricken. An 
old woman and a young girl of sixteen were in the act of 
adjusting some portions of his dress, as I entered the room. 
Some bustle ensued upon my- abrupt entrance. They how- 
ever placed a stool for me to sit upon, and brought me 
some water to drink. I drank from a gourd shell, having 
a hole cut in its side ; a very common substitute in some 
parts of our country for a dipper. 

After some incidental conversation, the Old Coon, for it 
was Birch himself, upon whom I had intruded, inquired : 

“ Do you live in this part of the country? ” 

“No, I do not.” 

“ Where do you, then?” 

“ In no particular place. I spend my time in traveling, 
speculating, etc. 

“Do you want to see me?” 

“ Why, some of your old acquaintances wished me to call 
upon you, if I ever passed near you, and my business lead- 
ing me this way, I have sought you out.” 

“ Who do you mean ?” 

“ Granville Young, and Bundy.” 

“How large a man is this Granville Young?” 

“ A small man, with dark hair.” 

“Are you acquainted with Owen Long?” 

“ Only by description,” I replied, “ I never saw him; but 
I know the boys.” 

“Do you? what! Aaron and John?” 

“Yes.” 

“Aaron and John are Owen Long’s sons. Owen Long 
and I were raised together in old North Carolina. I have 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 105 

known him ever since he was a boy. He’s a right smart 
old man, and has got two smart boys.” 

“ I think so. At least they know enough to take care of 
themselves.” 

“Well they do.” 

“ I left my horse at the edge of the woods ; let me step 
out and look to him.” 

Saying this, I winked to the old man who readily fol- 
lowed me out, and when we were out of hearing he said : 

“ Well, what is it, stranger?” 

“ The boys tell me that you are of the right strife^ and 
friendly to us, so I suppose I can safely proceed to disclose 
my business.” 

“ I never hurts nobody.” 

“ I felt certain that you were one of us! I have left the 
main travelled road because I promised the boys I would 
see you on my way down, and give you a little accommoda- 
tion in my line. Look at these blank notes. They are a 
small sample of my work. I have a large amount to fill 
up and sign. I am now on my way to Cincinnati after it, 
and on my return shall wish to dispose of it. I suppose 
you can help me some.” 

“ Y es, I’ll take right smart of it myself. A heap of the 
boys stop with me, and I know of ’em, what will buy it, if 
you can sell it fair, I can get rid of a power of it.” 

“ Do you think you could get a lot of horses with such 
paper as this, and have them delivered at Louisville or St. 
Louis ?” 

“ Y es, and a smart chance of money too.” 

“ Have you any confidential friends in this country who 
understand this business, and are acquainted with the boys ?” 


io6 The Banditti of the Prairies^ 

“ Why, yes, I reckon so. There is one Mr. Arbuckle, at 
Marshall, and the Clerk of our Court, They both under- 
stand such matters, and are first rate men. I reckon they 
would like to trade with you.” 

“ Are you suspected of being connected with the boys ?” 

“Not a bit of it. Any how I reckon not. The clerk is 
a good friend of mine and always tells me what is going 
on. They can’t hurt the Old Coon, as long as he is Clerk 
of the Court. If the Sheriff should get a writ against me, 
the Clerk would let me know soon enough to let me get 
out of the way.” 

“ Are you acquainted on East of us, so that you can tell 
me where to stop along my way. I have never travelled 
this way before, and don’t know the boys.” 

“ I know most on ’em,” said the Old Coon, with a merry 
laugh, as if some pleasant memory came over his mind. 
“ There is Shack Phifs^ Hiram Long and Aaron^ cousins 
of John and Aaron Long — Old Owen Long and their 
father are brothers. They live in Owen County, Indiana, 
about fifty miles east of here. They are all good boys, but 
John Long is the smartest of the whole lot. He sticks to 
his friends and is right good grit. I will tell you what 
John did only last year. Bundy was in jail at Louisville, and 
would have gone to State Prison if no one had helped him. 
The boys were all afraid but John, to go to his assistance. 
He swore that he would not see a friend of his suffer while 
he could help him. After some exertion, he persuaded 
Granville Young to go with him to Louisville. ' Upon 
Bundy’s trial they two swore him off clear, and he was 
acquitted. If John had beenUimid, like the other boys, 
Bundy would now be in jug.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 107 

“I would like two or three boys like John for partners 
in business. I don’t know where John is now; I have not 
seen him in several months ; probably he is up in Missouri.” 

“ I have not seen him since last year.” 

“Nor heard from him, I suppose.” 

“No. Are you much acquainted in Missouri.^” 

“Yes, quite well along the river.” 

“Do you know a man by the name of Robert Birch? 
Robert H. Birch ? he is my son ; Robert is a smart fellow ; 
do you know him?” 

“ I have heard the boys mention his name but have never 
seen him.” 

“ He is a smart fellow, my son Robert is, you would like 
to know him, and travel with him.” 

“ Well, I would.” 

He has traveled eight years. Has got heaps of money. 
He never gets caught. He has not been at home in eight 
years. He wrote to me from St. Louis a few months ago, 
that he would be here before this time, but he has not come, 
I reckon he is making money. He and my son John left 
our homes in old Carolina together. John, poor fellow! 
they hung him in Texas. They just strung him up by the 
neck, without judge or jury, hung him like a dog; but they 
don’t catch Robert.’* 

By this time we had returned to the house, where we 
found the old man’s son Tim Birch, who had just returned 
from the forest with his rifle. He was the youngest son of 
the Old Coon, and as his father proudly remarked to me, 
looked very much like Robert. Old Birch described the 
appearance of his favorite son at length, dwelling minutely 
upon his qualities and oeculiarities. He was evidently very 


io8 The Banditti of the Prairies, 

proud of that son of his, Robert. He very earnestly desired 
me to seize the first opportunity I might have to cultivate 
Robert’s acquaintance, and associate myself with him. 

I need not say that I very readilv promised to become as 
intimate with him as possible. 

The old woman and her daughter being informed that I 
was one of the boys, became very talkative. They were at 
least equal in wickedness, to any of the members of the gang 
of the other sex, and appeared much worse, for, as woman 
in her purity seems surpassingly lovely, so in her degrad- 
ation she seems more than debased. 

, The old woman indulged in the most bitter denunciations 
against a certain neighbor of the Birch’s, by the name of 
Miller. She swore some terrible vengeance against him. 
She would shoot him, chop him into mince-meat, etc., and 
all because Miller, as she said, had tried to have her Tim 
prosecuted just for stealing a miserable little colt, not worth 
thirty dollars; and she seemed also to believe that Miller 
was in some way instrumental in having John hung in 
Texas. 

I was earnestly solicited by the family to remain a few 
days to recruit myself and horse. I was, however, satisfied 
that Robert Birch was not concealed in the vicinity of his 
father’s residence, and that there was no prospect of my 
discovering any track of the murderers from the Old Coon. 

Giving my name to them as Tom Brown, and promising 
to call on my return from Cincinnati, and spend more time 
with them, I left, having evidently satisfied the family that 
I was one of the boys, and a worthy associate of their son 
Robert. 

I searched the thicket for my friend Sheriff Bennett, but 
he evidently supposing that I would remain with the Birchs 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 109 

all night, had returned home, leaving me to make the best 
of my way to Marshall, unassisted and alone. 

Confiding, however, in my trusty horse, I was carried 
safely through the dense forest, and reached Marshall 
about midnight. 

The following morning I disclosed as far as prudence 
dictated, the facts drawn out in my conversation with Old 
Birch. I also mentioned the character which the Old Coon 
gave of his neighbor Arbuckle, and of the Clerk of the 
Court. 

Sheriff Bennett remarked that several criminal prosecu- 
tions had been brought in the County within the last three 
years, but from some cause heretofore unknown, the author- 
ities had not been able to procure a conviction, but had 
never suspected anything wrong with the officers of the 
court. 

The Sheriff promised to watch closely the movements of 
Old Birch and family, and to advise me of any appearance of 
the suspected individuals, and also keep an eye on Arbuckle 
and the Clerk of the Court. 

I then left Marshall, and returned to Terre Haute, in 
which place I met with Mr, Hickox, Deputy Sheriff of 
Vigo County, Indiana. This gentleman informed me that 
a man calling his name Fox, had recently been arrested 
and committed to jail at Bowling Green, in Clay County, 
Indiana, on charge of horse stealing. From his description 
of the man, I had no doubt that he was the same Fox, 
suspected of participation in the murder of Col. Davenport. 
I at once procured a conveyance, and accompanied by Mr. 
Hickox, left Terre Haute for Bowling Green. The distance 
was only twenty-five miles, but as the roads proved to be 


no The Banditti of the Prairies, 

extremely bad, we did not reach Bowling Green until the 
next morning. 

On our arrival we learned that Fox had been arrested on 
suspicion of horse stealing, Shack Phips was also under 
arrest on a similar charge. Four horses had been taken 
from them, and detained as stolen. The owner of one of 
the horses had appeared and proved his property. Fox 
was examined before a magistrate, and held to bail in the 
sum of $Soo, in default of which he was committed to jail. 
Shack Phips was also held to bail in the sum of $400. His 
father entering bail for the amount. Shack was released. 
Fox remained in custody two weeks, when his father came 
and entered bail in the sum required, upon which he was 
also released. The three horses were retained in the cus- 
tody of the officer, although there was no evidence of their 
being stolen. 

When Fox was released on bail, he held a brief private 
conversation with his father in the street, and then left the 
village. His father settled his bill at the tavern, and re- 
turned to his residence, sixty-five miles east of Indianapolis, 
in Wayne County, Indiana. 

As F ox had left town before his father, and in a different 
directioxi, all present track of him was fully obliterated. 

I could discover nothing at Bowling Green of the where- 
abouts of John Long, or Birch, except the old Owen Long, 
formerly lived in Owen County, adjoining Clay. Some 
four years before, Owen Long with his two sons, John and 
Aaron was arrested on charge of breaking open and rob- 
bing a store. After a strict search, the goods were found 
under the floor of the old man’s house. The three Longs 
were committed for trial, but broke jail and left the country, 


The Banditti of the Prairies, in 

since which occurrence, nothing had been heard of any of 
them. 

One of these horses taken from Fox, and detained, I 
readily recognized from description, as the race mare stolen 
in Missouri and described to me by Reynolds at St. Louis. 

All track of the murderers had now disappeared. There 
was none of Long and Birch since they left St. Louis, and 
none of Fox since he left his father in the streets of Bowl- 
ing Green, eight days ago. I felt quite confident, however, 
that Birch and Long were in the neighborhood at the time 
Fox was arrested, but had fled precipitately 

Being unable to determine from my own reflection what 
course to pursue, I determined to take counsel with some of 
the prominent citizens of the place — with Messrs. Merry- 
man, Elkin,, Rose, Madesitt, (Clerk of the Circuit Court,) 
and the two Messrs. Osbone, to whom I disclosed the object 
of my mission. They all readily pledged themselves to 
render me any and every assistance in their power. 

I learned from these gentlemen that Shack Phips, who 
was arrested with Fox, lived in Owen County, but a few 
miles distant in a sparsely settled country. Nearly all the 
settlers were connected in different ways with the Banditti. 
Phips had married a daughter of Widow Long, sister-in-law 
of Old Owen Long, and mother of Aaron and Hiram; all 
whose names I had taken from Granville Young or Old 
Birch. Phips lived in the house with Old Widow Long 
and her boys, and Fox had been arrested there. 

Upon receiving this intelligence, I resolved to visit the 
settlement, and by stratagem get track of the murderers. 
When I proposed this, I was told that such efforts had 
already been made without success. That such an attempt 


II2 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


would be dangerous in the extreme, and if the plot should 
be discovered by the gang, my death would be certain. 

However, as no other plan suggested itself to my mind, 
by which the desired information could be obtained, I de- 
termined to make the attempt regardless of consequences. 

In the meantime, I suggested that it would be well thak 
the stolen horses taken from Fox, should be placed in my 
charge temporarily, as I might find them of assistance in 
my plans. 

Addressing a letter to Mr. Knox, informing him of my 
present position, my doubts, and hopes, etc., I provided 
myself with a horse, and portmanteau well filled with 
articles of clothing, to give the impression that I was upon 
a long journey, and getting the necessary directions, I left 
Bowling Green for the Den of Thieves in Owen County. 


CHAPTER XL 


SHACK PHIPS. 

M y way towards the residence of Phips, was ex- 
ceedingly devious, but after making the different 
angles until I was satisfied from the distance and description 
given to me, that I was in the neighborhood of Old Mother 
Long, as she was called, I ventured to inquire for Shack 
Phips, and was told that I was within one mile of his hab- 
itation. 

“ He lives,” said my informant, “ somewhat oflf from the 
road ; he is not at home ; you won’t see him.” 

“ If his wife is at home, it will answer my purpose just 
as well,” I replied, asking for the direction. 

“ She lives at Old Mother Long’s. You go on until you 
get to a small bridge crossing a ravine. Then turn into the 
woods at your right. You will find a by-path which, if you 
can follow, will lead you in sight of the house.” 

“ Thank you, stranger.” 

“ Are you acquainted with the Phips?” 

“ A friend of theirs,” I replied. 

Following the direction of my informant through a for- 
est, thick with tangled underbrush, and nearly impenetra- 
ble, I presently emerged from a dense thicket, and found 
myself but a few rods distant from a miserable log cabin, 


1 1 4 The Banditti of the Prairies, 

about fourteen feet square, with an open porch, or stoop ; 
the whole covered with rough clapboards, laid on loose, 
and confined with small logs placed at equal distances apart 
on the roof. 

I dismounted at the edge of the forest, hitched my horse, 
and walked to the house, where I found “ Old Motherj 
Long,” a meagre specimen of humanity, poorly clad, and 
besmeared with dirt, and the wife of Shack Phips, a female 
of about twenty years of age, of rather delicate features, 
but whose whole appearance was very little, if any, supe- 
rior to that of the old mother of the house. 

The furniture consisted of crippled chairs, half a dozen 
three-legged stools, two miserable beds; the bedsteads of 
which were made of rough poles, with the bark still on; an 
old rickety cupboard — a table made of a slab of timber, 
roughly hewn ; a couple of iron kettles, half a dozen broken 
plates, as many knives and forks without handles, and a few 
tin cups. 

Seating myself on a stool, I inquired for Mr. Phips, and 
was told that he was not at home. 

“ Is he expected soon ? I would like to see him.” 

After watching me very sharply for a moment, as if to 
read the object of my mission, Mrs. Phips inquired: 

“ Does Phips owe you anything? ” 

“ No,” I replied. 

“ Do you live about here ? ” 

“No; I live more than two hundred miles distant.” 

“Are you acquainted with Phips?” 

“ No, I have never seen him^ but I am well acquainted 
with some of his friends, and as I am passing through the 
country so near him, I thought I would call and see him.” 

“ Do you know Judge Fox?” asked the old woman. 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


115 


Yes, very well, he is an intimate friend of mine.” 

“ Is he ? why F ox was here only a few days ago.” 

“ Was he? indeed, I regret that I did not meet him, I have 
been looking for him for a month.” 

“ Do you want to see Shack right bad ? ” asked his wife. 

“Yes, I do.” 

“ Well, I reckon I can holler him up.” 

Thus speaking, the lady left the house, and climbing up 
the gate post, commenced a ho a P’* at the top of her 
voice. 

Shortly an answering shout was heard, and Phips emer- 
ged from the woods and entered the house. 

He seemed sornewhat startled and displeased at the sight 
of me, but after a few words of assurance from the old 
woman and his wife, that I was one of the boys, his good 
nature in a measure returned, although his speech was 
rather in the way of complaint of the ill-treatment of the 
public towards him, and I judge that he was by no means 
as well satisfied that I was one of the right strife., as his 
family were. 

“ I am,” he said, “ an honest, hard working man, and was 
never guilty of a dishonest act in my life. I am poor, it is 
true, but I have always tried to get an honorable living. 
The people about Bowling Green are trying to ruin me. 
A man came here only a few days ago and sold me a 
horse. Soon after an owner came for the horse, and said it 
was stolen. I knew nothing about it. I paid the full 
value of the horse, but, because he was found in my posses- 
sion, they took me up to Bowling Green, and put me in 
jail. All the folks at Bowling Green, are dead set against 
me, and I reckon I shall lose all I paid for the horse, as I 
don’t know the man I bought him of.” 


1 16 The Banditti of the Prairies, 

Dark clouds appearing in the west, accompanied by loud 
thunder, gave me notice of an approaching storm. I started 
to 23ut my horse under a shed which stood a short distance 
from the house, requesting Phips, in a careless tone of voice, 
to attend me. 

Being desirous to bring my business to an issue, as soon 
as possible, I embraced the apportunity to introduce a few 
remarks that would enlist his confidence. 

When a few rods from the house, I accosted him in a 
most familiar manner, and at the same time with a some- 
what determined air. 

“Phips!” said I, “it is all confounded nonsense to talk 
this kind of stuff to me. It is well enough to tell it to the 
folks about here, but I understand such matters, and will 
tell you my business at once. I came here to see if these 
horses which were taken from Fox, can be got and carried 
away from Bowling Green. Fox and I are old friends. I 
am traveling across the country from St. Louis to Cin- 
cinnati, and when I arrived at Terre Haute I heard that Fox 
had got into a bad scrape at Bowling Green, and I came 
up to see about it. I find that Fox has given bail and left» 
but they retain the horses. Now, if we can get the horses 
away before the owners call for them, there will not be 
sufficient evidence to convict Fox. He can then, you see, 
come back, stand his trial, and save eight hundred dollars, 
the amount of his bonds. If the horses are suffered to re- 
main where they are until the owners come for them, Fox 
must sacrifice the amount of his bail, as you are aware that 
he cannot come and stand his trial with such evidence 
against him. It would send him to the Penitentiary at 
once, but if you will stand by me, and lend me a helping 
hand, I think we can get them away.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 117 

“How can we do it?” asked Phips, with a mingled ex- 
pression of fear and satisfaction. 

“Easy enough!” I replied. “You must get some one to 
go and swear the horses are my property; and I will claim 
and take them away. I am a stranger to everybody there, 
and no one will suspect but what I am the real owner, and 
when the true owners come all they can say is, that some 
rascal has got their horses and run with them^ but as they 
can’t swear to the horses, unless they first find them, of 
course they cannot convict Fox, and I have no fear of their 
catching me or the horses, if I can get fifteen miles the 
start of them.” 

“ All this is true, and I can get people to swear that the 
horses are yours. Still I am fearful they will not give 
them up.” 

“ Why not?” 

“ Oh, I don’t know, I was only expressing my fears.” 

“ They must give them up. That is the only process I 
know of to recover stolen property.” 

“ Will they not require you to enter into bonds to appear 
as witness against Fox at the next court?” 

“ 1 think not. Y ou know I can promise to come, and 
not go.” 

“ Yes, that is easy enough.” 

“ Well, who will you get to swear that the horses are 
mine?” 

“ There are plenty of people in this neighborhood who 
will swear to anything.” 

“ But it must be a person unknown to the authorities.” 

“ True, it would not do to take any of my friends around 
here, but I can get lots of them down in Spice V alley.” 

“Where’s that?” 

8 


iiS 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


“ Eighty miles from here.” 

“ That will consume too much time. I don’t know how 
to be detained so long. I am in a great hurry to get 
through to Cincinnati; my speculation there ought to have 
been attended to before this time. However, I would not 
hesitate if I can do anything for Fox, at the risk of a day 
or two’s delay.” 

“ You are a true friend of his, no mistake.” 

“ If we succeed in getting the horses away, we must 
leave the race mare where Fox can get her again.” 

“ I am told that F ox would not take a thousand dollars 
for her. She is said to be the fastest quarter nag in the 
United States. By the way, do you know where Fox is 
now, so that we can send him word where to find the mare, 
if we succeed in getting her? ” 

“ I don’t know where he is now.” 

“ The other horses are nothing extra. I will let some of 
the boys take them up north and sell them.” 

“ I know Fox would like to get hold of the mare again, 
but at any rate, he wants the horses to be out of the way, 
so that they cannot be in evidence against him.” 

“What way did he suggest? I suppose one somewhat 
similar to my own? ” 

“ No, he wanted me to go and burn the tavern barn, in 
which the horses are kept, the horses and all together; 
which would be getting them out of the way pretty 
effectually.” 

“ Did you attempt it? ” 

“ No, the people at Bowling Green keep such close watch 
that I dare not try it. If I was not certain that I should be 
the first one suspected, I would get some of the boys to do 
it, but I am afraid they would lynch me. A good many of 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 1 19 

them had as lief hang me up to a tree without trial as any 
other way.” 

“ I think my plan much the best, and that would put an 
end to it, without their supposing you have anything to do 
with it.” 

“ I think so, too. I am d d glad that you called on 

us. Nearly all the boys around here are afraid to do any- 
thing, if one of us happen to get into a scrape. If we only 
had a few such fellows as you are, who would stick to us, 
and help us out of trouble when we got caught, they would 
soon get sick of troubling us. I wish you had time to go 

down to Bloomington and see Esq. (mentioning a name 

which I have forgotten.) He is a good lawyer, and a very 
able man. He always helps us when we get into trouble. 
He will ride day and night, and work every way in his 
power to get us clear, and then he never charges us high 
prices, and is willing to take his pay in horses, or any kind 
of property we happen to have.” 

“ He is a valuable member of the community.” 

“ Yes, one of the finest fellows in the world.” 

“ I cannot afford to be detained a sufficient length of time 
to see him. We can get along without a lawyer just as 
W’ell, if you can find some one who is not known at Bowling 
Green, to go before the authorities, and swear that the 
horses are mine. Besides every day’s delay is dangerous. 
The owners may come for their horses. What is done 
must be done in a hurry.” 

“ There is Tim Birch, living about fifty miles from here, 
we can get him.” 

“ I have seen Tim. He is too young. If he is questioned 
closely he may cross himself.” 


120 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


“He is a shrewd little devil — a chip of the old block. 
But there is his father, old John Birch. They can’t cross 
him. He will swear to anything you tell him. The Old 
Coon they call him.” 

“ Yes, I would be willing to risk the old man, but fifty 
miles is a long way to go and return. Here, continued I, 
^(showing him my sheets of bank notes.) You see why I 
am in so much of a hurry. This is all ready to date and 
sign, and I ought to be in Cincinnati with it now.” 

“ It is a splendid article,” said Shack, examining it. “ How 
much can you get like it? ” 

“ About sixty thousand dollars.” 

“You are doing a big business.” 

“ Yes, I am always doing something, and I would not be 
idling my time away now, if it were not to get Fox out of 
trouble.” 

“You are doing the fair thing by him, no mistake about 
that!” 

“ How did F ox get caught ? I thought he was smart 
enough to take better care of himself.” 

“Fox, John Long, and Bob Birch came here together, 
with four horses, and staid a few days ; I bought one of their 
horses. Hiram Long was negotiating a purchase of the 
other two, and Fox intended to take the race mare with 
him. John did not like to be seen about here on account 
of some old criminal charges against him in this county; so 
he and Birch left in the afternoon, and Fox intended to 
leave the next morning. 

“ That same night, a posse came from Bowling Green, 
arrested Fox and me, and took all the horses. The boys 
stole them in the western part of Illinois, and thought they 
were out of all danger with them here. The man who 


The Banditti of the Prairies* i 

owned the horse which I had bought, got on their track, 
and had followed them as far as Bowling Green. Fox and 
I had been in Bowling Green with the horses, and mine 
was recognized at once by the man’s description. That 
very night they came down and took us. If they had 
waited another day. Fox would have been off.” 

“ I suppose you are well acquainted with the boys ? ” 

“Yes, with Fox and John, but never saw Birch until he 
came here with them.” 

“What do you think of Birch?” 

“ He is a smart fellow, but rather too much of a fop to 
suit me. He had a fine gold watch and chain, and liked to 
show it often, and play with the chain.” 

“Fox is a man of the best judgment and intellect of all 
the boys. If John and Birch had followed his instructions 
they would not have been tracked. He told them to keep 
off from the main traveled roads with the horses, until they 
crossed the Wabash River, but after traveling about fifty 
miles from where they stole the horses, they took the high- 
ways; consequently there was no difficulty in tracking them. 
John Long is a bold, daring fellow, but he lacks prudence.” 
I was shown to a resting place in one corner of the room, 
and one of the three men pointed out to lodge with me, 
while the other two, with Phips, occupied a bed on the 
floor, made up with a few old quilts, and the two women 
occupied the other bed. 

There being no light in the room, except the flickering 
blaze from a few dying embers on the hearth, I had no 
difficulty in arranging everything to my mind. I placed 
my portmanteau under the side of my bed, covered it with 
my coat and vest; placed my pistols and bowie knife where 
I could lay my hand upon them, and put my cane in the 


122 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


foreside of my bed. Then, without divesting myself of my 
clothing, but my coat and vest, I retired to bed for the night. 
The man with whom I was to lodge had placed himself in 
the back side of the bed, and all was now quiet. 

I did not dare to go to sleep, for if suspected, I should 
certainly be attacked before morning. 

The threatening clouds, which had hung around the \/est, 
at length had developed into a fearful storm, spreading 
themselves in black array over the whole horizon. The 
vivid lightning streamed forth in one continued blaze, suc- 
ceeded by incessant crashes of terrific thunder, and the rain 
fell in torrents. 

The grim features of the ruffians, visible by the vivid 
lightning streaming through the crevices in the walls of 
the shattered fabric, served to complete a picture of fearful 
interest to me. 

The thoughts and reflections which crowded my mind, as 
I lay amid those ruffians, seem to have made a singular and 
ineffaceable impression. Years have passed since then, but 
still as vividly as if of yesterday, do I recall the scenes of 
that long, dismal and sleepless night. 


CHAPTER XII. 



AY dawned at length; a bright and glorious morning 


rising over the darkness and storm of the dreary 


night. 


The three men got up and left the house, and I saw no 
more of them. 

The family soon after arose, and prepared a breakfast 
which I need not describe as it was but a continuation of 
the last night’s supper. 

About eight o’clock in the morning, while we were all 
sitting in the open porch before the cabin, a shrill whistle 
arose from the neighboring forest, like the long and quavir- 
ing cry of a wild turkey. 

“ There Shack, you, you can start,” said his gen- 

tle and affectionate wife. 

“ What is that ? ” I inquired. 

“ Hiram Long whistling for his grub,” said Phips, start- 
ing for the woods with a readiness which proved his sym- 
pathy for Hiram’s appetite. 

After about an hour’s absence, Phips returned. 

He said he had told Hiram of my plans for recovering 
Fox’s horses, and that he would be glad to see me, but 
dared not come to the house, and wished me to meet him 
in the woods. 


124 


The Banditti of the Prairi 


“ Go up past the stable yonder,” said he, “ to the corner 
of the fence, turn to the left into the woods, and whistle, 
and Hiram will answer you.” 

Taking my portmanteau on my arm, I followed the di- 
rection of Phips to the place designated, where I gave a 
clear, shrill whistle, which was answered from a dense 
thicket a few rods distant from me. I entered the thicket 
and found Hiram Long seated upon a log. 

He was a small, well formed, and remarkably good look- 
ing young man of twenty-two or three years of age. His 
complexion was fair as that of a woman ; his forehead prom- 
inent and high, while his full, clear, dark hazel eyes, and 
dark auburn hair made up one of the finest countenances I 
have ever seen. 

F rom the manner of living, constantly in fear of pursuit 
and arrest for criminal offences, he had caught a sort of 
suspicious watchfulness, and was startled by every noise; 
his quick eye darting in every direction, seemed to catch 
every motion, and his practiced ear took in the slightest 
crackling of brush, or rustling of leaves. 

After asking several questions which I answered to his 
satisfaction, we entered upon the important subject of get- 
ting the horses from Bowling Green. My plans as de- 
cribed to him by Phips appeared to meet his approbation. 

“The Judge says he does not care for any of them but 
the race mare. If she can be secured so that he can get 
her, he will pay well for your trouble and delay.” 

“ I know he will. If I can succeed in getting the horses 
as proposed, I will leave the mare about twenty miles above 
Terre Haute, near the W abash River, where she can be se- 
creted. Then I can send word to Fox where he can find 


7 he Banditti oj the Prairies, j 25 

viei\ and hasten on to Cincinnati, where I must be as soon 
as possible.” 

“ But,” said Hiram, “ if you are going to Cincinnati, it 
will not be much out of your way to go and see Fox.” 

“ I do not know where he is now.” 

“He has gone to his father’s in the eastern part of 
this State, and I think will remain at home until you 
can get there and see him.” 

It was with difficulty that I repressed a strong excla- 
mation of pleasure at being told of the present lurking 
place of Fox, but endeavoring to conceal my satisfaction, 
I proceeded to remark upon the subject of the horses. 

“It will require so much time to carry out our plans 
about the horses, that probably I shall not see Fox. 
If I succeed in getting them, you had better write to 
Fox, that he will find the mare, where 1 will leave her, 
with a friend near the Wabash River.’’ 

“ I will do so.” 

“And now about the witness to swear that the horses 
belong to me.” 

“You had better remain here, and send Phips after John 
Birch, the Old Coon: he will be the best witness I know 
of.” 

“ That will consume a good deal of time. Let me sug- 
gest a plan. I believe they are getting a little sick of keep- 
ing the horses. Perhaps if I go and claim them as my 
property, I can get them without further trouble.” 

“ I reckon not.” 

“ I can try any way, and if they refuse to let the horses 
go, then we will send for Old Birch. 

Hiram readily assented to the proposition, and I there- 
fore, in order that I might fully impress the sincerity of my 


126 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 


designs upon the minds of Hiram Long and Phips, and 
prevent all suspicion of me, requested that they would send 
a spy to Bowling Green, that they might know if I suc- 
ceeded in getting the horses, and if I did not I would then 
return to them. 

Having got track of Fox, the only object of my visit, I 
was of course anxious to get away. Therefore, promising 
Long to call upon him, on my return, and to furnish him 
with a quantity of “ PcLg Currency^'' we separated. 

I also made the same promise to Phips, who told me he 
knew a great many who would like some of it. 

“ The Sheriff of Owen County,” said he, “ is one of our 
friends, and a man of the right stripe. He always lets the 
boys know if there is anything on foot against them. If 
he had known when the posse came from Bowling Green 
to arrest Fox and me, he would have given us timely 
notice.” 

After bidding farewell to Shack’s interesting family, and 
receiving their best wishes for my success in securing the 
horses, I started for Bowling Green, which place I reached 
before nightfall. 

At Bowling Green, I met with two men from Belville, 
Illinois, in search of two of the horses. At my request, 
they promised to keep their business secret for a short time, 
I explaining to them my object in making the request, as 
far as . was necessary to gain their consent, and I ;then 
got together the gentlemen with whom I had previously 
consulted. I informed them of my success, telling them 
that I had now only to take the horses away from Bowling 
Green to accomplish my plans, and give me a clear track 
of Fox. As the owner of the two horses had just arrived 
with a witness to prove his property, I proposed that I 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 127 

should assume the character of the owner of the horses, 
pay the charges for keeping them, take them out of the 
town, and then deliver them to the owner, who could pro- 
ceed with them on his journey home, I would then take 
the race mare to Terre Haute, and leave her with Mr. 
Hickox, Deputy Sheriff, to await the order of the owner. 

To all which the owner of the horses and all parties con- 
cerned readily assented. 

One thing only remained to make the chain of action, 
thus far, perfect. 

When Fox was arrested at Bowling Green, he employed 
a lawyer of that town by the name of Williamson, who 
was represented to me as a shrewd, cunning man, and a 
fine lawyer. Fearing that Williamson might have noticed 
our movements sufficiently to suspect that some trap was 
being laid for his client. Fox, and accordingly give him 
notice of the state of things in time to enable him to escape, 
I expressed a wish to see and converse with him before 
leaving the village. 

The gentlemen with whom I was counselling opposed 
this, stating that Williamson was so remarkably keen, that 
they feared he would discover the plot. 

I determined however to conduct the whole affair upon my 
own judgment, and despatched a messenger to Mr. Wil- 
liamson, requesting him to call at the hotel as soon as his 
business would permit. 

He soon after entered the bar-room where 1 was seated 
and in a hurried manner remarked: 

“ My name is Williamson; who is it that wishes to see 
me? ” 

“ I am the person, sir,” I replied, “ have you a private 
room ? ” 


128 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 

“ Y es, step up stairs.” 

When we were seated, I said : “ I am informed, sir, tliat 

you are the attorney who defended my friend Fox, when 
he was arrested on charge of stealing these horses.” 

“ I am, sir.” 

“ Do you still consider yourself his lawyer? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Can I talk to you confidentially upon his business, and 
will you not betray me ? ” 

“You can speak without fear or restraint upon any mat- 
ter connected with F ox ; but stop a moment.” 

Leaving his seat, the attorney subjected the neighboring 
rooms and closets to a close scrutiny; and then shutting the 
doors returned to his chair. 

Seating myself at his side, I clapped my hand upon his 
knee, and looking him full in the face, continued : 

“ Mr. Williamson, I will disclose my business at once. I 
am a friend of Fox; while passing through the country 
near this point, I heard of his arrest, and the detention of 
these horses. I have come here for the purpose of getting 
them away. I have succeeded in the attempt to prove the 
horses to be my property; have got them into my posses- 
sion, and am now about to leave town with them. Con- 
sequently you can inform Fox that he can come back, at- 
tend .the court, and save his bail. I have got everything ar- 
ranged, and shall be off in a few minutes with all the 
horses.” 

“By ! That’s a good one. I am glad you have suc- 

ceeded in getting them. Be careful you are not suspected 
before you get away. I would not have the plot found out 
for five hundred dollars.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


129 


“ There is no danger now. I have accomplished the 
most difficult part of the task. The people here think it is 
all right, and do not suspect my design. I have nothing to 
fear unless you betray me, and I am not much afraid of 
that.” 

“No, you need have no fears of me! It’s the best trick 

I ever knew, by ! I’ts d d well done! I will tell 

you what I did before F ox left here. I wrote to Tom Rey 
nolds at St. Louis. Do you know him ? ” 

“ Yes, very well.” 

“Well, I wrote to Reynolds to send Myers, who you 
know is a noted horse jockey at St. Louis, down here to 
claim the horses, and get them away, if he should have to 
cut their throats the first night.” 

“ Well, when Myers arrives, you can tell him that Jack 
Brown has saved him the trouble of getting the horses. I 
will leave the race mare in safe hands where Fox can get 
her, and then hasten on to Cincinnati, where I should be 
now.” 

“Fox is in Wayne County, Indiana, at his father’s, not 
far from Centreville. Y ou had better stop and see him, On 
your way.” 

“ By the time I reach there, he may be off on some spec^ 
ulation.” 

“No; Fox will remain there until he hears from me what 
has been done with the horses.” 

“ Well, I will call upon him, if it is not too far out of my 
way, but for fear I should not, you had better write, and 
let him know the particulars, and that he has nothing more 
to fear as far as the horses are concerned.” 

“ I will write to him by next mail.” 


130 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


“ After we leave the room, perhaps you had better not 
speak to me, as you are known to have been the attorney 
of Fox, and there might be some who would think it was 
not all right.” 

“ But they must know of our retiring together, and 
holding a private conversation.” 

“True; we will say that my business with you was to 
enquire if I was bound to pay the expense of keeping the 
horses since they were taken from F ox.” 

“ That will do, they shan’t learn anything from me.” 

We then left the room and separated. I passed down 
the hall stairs, and Williamson out of the back way, that 
we might not be noticed together. 

The news that the owner of the horses taken from Fox 
had arrived, claimed, and proved his property, had now 
become quite general, and a large number of citizens had 
collected together to witness the departure of the horses. 

Everybody a^^peared satisfied. The spy sent by Phips, 
elated at my success in getting the horses without the 
trouble of sending for Old Birch, hastened back to tell the 
news. Williamson was gratified with the fortunate issue of 
the trick to save his client from the punishment his crimes 
so justly merited: and the public rejoiced that the rightful 
owner had succeeded in recovering his stolen property^ 
while only the few to whom I had disclosed my real business 
understood the farce. 

Williamson approached me with a sly leer upon his astute 
visage, and exclaimed : 

“ Those rogues have put you to a great deal of trouble 
and expense.” 

“ V ery true, sir, but I am glad to get my horses any way.’** 

I rode off, accompanied by the owner of the two horses> 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 131 

in the presence of a large number of the citizens of Bowling 
Green, 

After proceeding a short distance, I delivered the horses 
to their owner, and then hastened with the celebrated race 
hag to Terre Haute, where I arrived at eight o’clock the 
same evening, and placed the mare, as I had intended, under 
the charge of Mr. Hickox, Deputy Sheriff, to await the 
order of her owner from Missouri. 

At one o’clock on the following morning I took the stage 
for Indianapolis. 

Among the passengers in the stage coach was a very 
gentlemanly looking man, by the name of Adair, a son of 
the late Gov. Adair of Kentucky. While we were at 
breakfast, this gentleman remarked in the hearing of us all, 
that “ a man had passed through Terre Haute in pursuit of the 
murderers of Col. George Davenport, of Rock Island; and 
from his success in tracking them thus far, the probability 
was he would eventually secure their arrest. The pursuit was 
conducted in a very secret manner, and but few knew of it.” 

“ If such is the case, sir,” I replied, “ great caution should 
be used by all who are in the secret, as the murderers may 
hear the news, and make good their escape.” 

“ V ery true,” he replied. 

“But is there not some mistake about this? I have pre- 
viously heard several similar reports.” 

“ No,” said Mr. Adair, “ it is no mistake, I have it from 
Mr. Hickox, Deputy Sheriff at Terre Haute, who has seen 
and conversed with the man in pursuit,” 

“ Does Mr. Hickox make the matter public to anybody 
and everybod}" ? ” 

“ No, he told me in confidence.” 


132 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


“ Sir, are you not aware that you are abusing that confi- 
dence? If Mr. Hickox is in possession of such information 
he is censurable for making a confidant of any one, and you^ 
sir, are equally censurable for betraying that confidence.” 

“What do you mean, sir? You are very free for a 
stranger! Do you intend an insult?” 

“I mean just what I say. That Hickox is singularly 
imprudent, and that you are equally so.” 

“ This is the first time I have mentioned it anywhere, 
and it can do no harm here.” 

“ How do you know, sir, but some of the murderers or 
their friends may be present? ” 

“ What! here? by no means! these are all gentlemen!” 

“ Are you acquainted with all present ? ” 

“No. [Nor do I wish to be. I know that they are all 
gentlemen.” 

“ Are you not aware that either of these murderers might 
take passage in a stage coach, mingle with gentlemen, and 
appear in every respect as much like a gentleman as your- 
self? ” 

“What! a murderer! No, sir.” 

“ Certainly he might ; however, sir, allow me to inform 
you that I am the man spoken of by Mr. Hickox. It 
became necessary to disclose my business to him, as I was 
in need of his services, but he has no good apology for 
disclosing the secret.” 

“ Is it possible ? Are you the gentleman he spoke of? I 
had no idea there was any one present who had any knowl- 
edge of the matter.” 

“ Either of the murderers might have been here as well 
as myself, and in making this matter public, you not only 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 133 

render the arrest of the murderers almost impossible, but 
you endanger my own life.” 

“ I acknowledge the wrong, and beg pardon. I was 
imprudent, but did not consider the consequences which 
might result. I will be more cautious! Rest assured that 
I will not mention it hereafter.” 

The other passengers pledged themselves to keep the 
secret, and Mr. Adair, like a true gentleman, acknowledg- 
ing that he had received a valuable lesson, the matter passed 
off smoothly. 

On arriving at Indianapolis, a distance of seventy-five 
miles from Terre Haute, I met with Thomas B. Johnson, 
former U. S. Marshal of Iowa, under Harrison. 

This meeting I considered a favorable circumstance, 
being confident of arresting Fox in Wayne County, at his 
father’s; and having been at a loss in my reflections to 
determine wdiat to do with him, while I should pursue John 
Long and Birch, of whom I had lost track since they left 
Old Mother Long’s the day before Fox was arrested, and 
taken to Bowling Green. 

Knowing Johnson as ex-Marshal of the District of Iowa, 
appeared to me a satisfactory reason for entrusting him 
with my secret, and endeavoring to secure his services. 

He readily consented to accompany me to Wayne 
County, and if successful in arresting Fox, to take charge 
of him and follow my instructions for his safe keeping, 
while I should pursue Long and Birch. 

At an early hour on the following morning we took 
stage for Centreville, the shire town of Wayne County, 
where we arrived the same evening, and ascertained that 
John Fox, father of William Fox, resided about nine miles 
southwest of the village. We were told that he was a 
9 


134 Banditti of the Prairies, 

farmer of some wealth and of very industrious habits — of 
rough and uncouth manners, and poorly educated, but not 
suspected by any one of crime or dishonesty. 

I disclosed my business to David Gentry, Esq., Sheriff of 
Wayne County, and to Thomas Noble, Clerk of the Court, 
both of whom rendered me valuable services. 

Mr. Noble ascertained from a man living near old Mr. 
Fox, that William Fox was at home, and would , remain 
there for several days, as he had not been at his father’s 
home before for nine years. 

I was now at a critical point of my adventure, as it seemed 
on the verge of success, yet with much remaining to be 
accomplished. I had no doubt of capturing Fox, but I had 
no track of Long and Birch. 1 was also anxious to get 
some clue to Fox’s money on the Des Moines River itf. 
Iowa, feeling confident that the money of which Col. 
Davenport was robbed was concealed with it. 

After much deliberation I resolved to draw this Informa • 
tion from F ox if possible, and also to obtain some track of 
Long and Birch. 

This undertaking was one of peculiar difficulty — involv- 
ing more danger and doubt than anything I had yet under- 
taken since the commencement of my perilous mission. 
Fox was not only a man of superior keenness and ability, 
but he had seen me when I was engaged in the Hodges’ 
trial, and would no doubt recognize me at first sight. 

Sheriff Gentry and Esquire Noble advised the immediate 
arrest of Fox, but this would prove fatal to any further 
track of Long and Birch, as also to the recovery of the 
money. I was compelled to differ in opinion from these 
gentlemen. 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 135 

I therefore requested them to await my action for a short 
time before attempting the arrest. 

Leaving Johnson at Centreville, I started alone on horse- 
back for the residence of Mr. John Fox. Upon my arrival, 
I was told that William Fox was absent. After a short 
conversation with old Mr. Fox, during which I feigned 
much anxiety to continue on my journey, I departed, leav- 
ing a letter for William Fox, in which I signed my name 
as Thomas Brown, and stated that Reynolds had received 
a letter from Mr. Williamson, the attorney at Bowling 
Green in reference to the stolen horses. I alluded to the 
attorney’s proposition to have Myers put in use, and pro- 
ceeded to relate my success in obtaining the horses. I con- 
cluded by regretting that I could not see him as I must take 
stage at Centreville, for Cincinnati early on the succeeding 
morning. 

My object in writing the above, as the reader will per- 
ceive, was to excite Fox’s curiosity, and induce him to call 
upon me before I left Centreville; and to make the matter 
more certain I said to the old man, that if Fox would come 
for me in a wagon, I would return home with him, and stay 
until I had only time enough to intercept the stage for Cin- 
cinnati. 

Returning at Centreville, I disclosed my plan to my 
associates, requesting them to be in readiness to act as cir- 
cumstances might require, but to make no movement calcu- 
lated to excite suspicion. 

About ten o’clock at night, while standing in the shade 
of the lamp-post, in front of the tavern, F ox rode up to the 
door, leading a horse with a saddle on, and addressing the 
landlord, said : 


136 The Banditti of the Prairies, 

“ Is there a gentleman stopping with you by the name of 
Brown ?” 

“ There was such a man here, but I think he has taken 
stage for Cincinnati. You can ascertain whether he has 
gone by stepping down to the stage office.” 

When Fox left, I requested the landlord to walk after 
him, and tell him that Mr. Brown was in his room, and to 
conduct him there. 

Going up to my room, I threw myself carelessly upon 
my bed, and pretending to be nearly asleep, awaited the 
arrival of Fox. -In a few minutes the landlord conducted 
him to my room and immediately withdrew. 

As the murderer approached my bed, near which was a 
lighted candle, I leisurely raised myself and with a long 
yawn turned toward him. 

Fox started back as he caught sight of my countenance, 
but recovering himself in a measure, said in a faltering 
voice — 

“ This is not Mr. Brown?” 

“ Not exactly.” 

“ Is it not Mr. Bonney ?” 

“ That’s it, when I am at home,” I replied, at the same 
time offering him my hand, which he took, although much 
excited. 

I placed a chair for him near the stand, and placing 
myself opposite, said : 

“Well, Fox, I suppose you did not expect to sec me 
here ?” 

“ No!” he replied, “ I supposed it was Brown! but what 
brought you here ?” 

“We shall have but a short time to converse, as the stage 
will be here soon and I must leave for Cincinnati, so I will 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 


137 


come to the matter at once. You will understand the object 
of my calling by the contents of my letter which \ left 
with your father, over the signature of Tom Brown.” 

“Yes, I saw it.” 

“ I presume you did not expect such a favor from me. 
At home I am Bonney; when travelmg I am Brown, and 
as I know from good authority that you are one of the 
right strife^ I will speak freely. I have had a long chat 
with Reynolds in St. Louis, in consequence of which I re- 
covered your horses, as you will learn from Williamson.” 

“ It is true that I heard from him.” 

“ He told me he should write you by the next mail.” 

“Bonney! you are the last man from whom I should 
have expected such a favor, or indeed one of any kind. 
But it was a d — d good move. The Bowling Green affair 
has vexed me exceedingly, but now I can go back and 
stand a trial.” 

“Exactly.” 

“ When I first entered the room and recognized you, I 
thought a trap had been laid to catch me, but I am satisfied 
that all is right, or you would have known nothing of the 
letter from Williamson to Reynolds.” 

“ Of course not. I knew that of itself would be sufficient 
to convince you, and now I will acquaint you with my busi- 
ness at Cincinnati.” 

As usual, I produced the sheets of bank notes. 

“ How do you like the article.?” 

Examining them closely, he said, “ They are first rate.” 

“ Better were never made.” 

“ Where were they got up? ” 

“ In Cincinnati.” 

“ What amount have you ? ” 


1 38 The Banditti of the Prairies. 

“ Sixty thousand — only a sample with me, however. 
Would you like to get some when I return? ” 

“ I might take some, although I don’t like to traffic in 
such stuff. It is attended with a great deal of risk.” 

“ Not with such an article as this.” 

“Perhaps not! By the w’ay, Bonney! didn’t you have 
something to do with the arrest and trial of the Hodges? ” 

“ Certainly I did ! They were charged with murder, 
which I oppose under all circumstances. There are ways 
enough for us boys to get money without killing men for it. 
I liave no doubt you are as much opposed to murder as I 
am.” 

“Very true. I am!” 

“ If I had not thought so, I would not have exerted my- 
self so much to free you from your Bowling Green difficulty. 
If I take a man’s horse, he can buy another. If I take his 
money he can work and get more, but if I kill a man he is 
lost to his friends, and to the world.” 

“These are my sentiments.” 

“ But anything else in the way of speculation, I am in for 
It. Now you understand me.” , 

The reader will comprehend my object in assuming this 
position. F ox was well aware that I was active in the pur- 
suit and arrest of the Hodges. I must therefore appear 
consistent with my former course of conduct, and at the 
same time manage to gain the confidence of Fox. I was 
very anxious to get some track of Long and Birch, and 
knew no other way except through Fox. Ho was not 
aware that he was suspected of any participation in the 
murder of Col. Davenport. At the close of our interview 
he seemed willing to give me his full confidence and urged 
me to accompany him to his father’s, promising to furnish 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 139 

me with a conveyance to Connersville in time for the stage 
on the following morning. 

Fearing that my inquiry at this time relative to Long and 
Birch would arouse his suspicions, I determined to accom- 
pany him home. 

As we passed from the room, I noticed that Johnson and 
the Sheriff were ready with a posse to arrest my companion. 
In consequence of a signal which I gave them, unnoticed 
by Fox, we passed out of the house without interruption. 

While Fox was getting his horses in readiness for our de- 
parture, I instructed Johnson to proceed early upon the fol- 
lowing morning, with a posse to the residence of Old Mr. 
Fox, and to arrest him and myself upon a feigned charge, 
and commit us both to jail, where I would have an oppor- 
tunity to extract such information as I might desire from 
him relative to his comrades in the murder of Davenport, 
and to the money concealed in the bluffs of the Des Moines 
River. 

We reached the old man’s house about midnight, when 
we retired to rest in the same bed. 

In the morning I was kindly received by the family, and 
treated with much courtesy. Had Fox been anything but 
a cold-blooded murderer, I should have regretted the part I 
was playing. I was in momentary expectation of the ar- 
rival of the Sheriff with the posse. 

Breakfast being over. Fox prepared to accompany me to 
Connersville. I was very much disconcerted that the posse 
had not yet made its appearance, and was under the neces- 
sity of changing my previous arrangements. It being Sun- 
day morning, I remarked that there might be some uncer- 
tainty about a stage from Connersville that day, when Fox 


140 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


urged me to tarry until Monday morning, to which I as- 
sented with apparent reluctance. 

During the day I was in constant expectation of the ar- 
rival of the posse, but from misunderstanding on the part of 
Johnson, they did not make their appearance. By this mis- 
take, however, I was enabled to take advantage of manag- 
ing a most interesting conversation with Fox. 

Having gained his confidence in all matters except those 
in which murder was concerned, he conversed freely upon 
every minor subject connected with the operations of the 
gang. 

My great object now being to gain intelligence of Long 
and Birch, my conversation had that constantly in view. 

“I suppose. Fox,” said I, “that you have been operating 
in this kind of business for a considerable length of time.” 

“ Yes, about nine years.” 

“ In what section of the country have you mostly trav- 
eled?” 

“ My line of operations has been from Wisconsin to 
Texas, in the states bordering on the Mississippi: general- 
ly near the river.” 

“You must have an extensive acquaintance with the 
boys ? ” 

“Yes, I know hundreds of them! Some have fixed 
habitations : others travel, and operate where they can make 
the most money! ” 

“ I would like to get some fellow who is well acquainted 
in the south and west to help me dispose of this paper, as 
soon as I can get it ready, and share in the profits. How 
would such a job suit you? ” 

“ I don’t like that kind of business. It is too dangerous. 
One is liable every moment to be detected.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


141 


“ What kind of business do you prefer? ” 

“ Robbing is much safer than counterfeiting. I can raise 
a thousand dollars with less risk of detection than there is 
in passing one counterfeit bill.” 

“ If that is so much better and safer business, I would like 
to have a hand in it.” 

“ I have friends in all parts of the country who keep a 
constant look-out, and when they find a good sights they 
let me know; then I go and make the raise, pay them well 
for their trouble, and leave for some other part of the coun- 
try as soon as possible. I have got thousands of dollars in 
this way, without being seen in the neighborhood where I 
made the raise.” 

“ You must frequently incur a great deal of risk? ” 

“ In most cases I can enter a house in the night, and 
search every part of it without giving any alarm.” 

“ Is it possible ? ” 

“ Sometimes I get two or three of the boys in company 
with me, and enter a house in disguise, and boldly demand 
the money of the frightened household.” 

“ But do they not sometimes refuse to give up their 
money, when demanded ? ” 

“No. I never yet had any one refuse. They are always 
so d — dly frightened they are willing to give up their 
money, and glad to get off so.” 

“ What would you do if they should refuse?” 

“ I would show a pistol or bowie-knife and threaten 

them, and if I could not frighten them to give up their 
money, I would let them go.” 

“ I presume you have plenty of money, so that it would 
not have embarrassed you to have paid up your bail bonds 
at Bowling Green?” 


143 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 


“ I could have paid much more than that amount without 
inconvenience. I have a good deal of money loaned out. 
Besides I have two thousand dollars buried.” 

“ Y ou have been very successful.” 

“ Yes, and I have paid money enough to get some of my 
friends out of scrapes to make half a dozen men rich.” 

“ Did you ever get caught before you were arrested at 
Bowling Green?” 

“Yes; I was at Bellevue in Iowa, at the time the mob 
shot Brown. They arrested me at the same time, but could 
prove little or nothing against me. So they tied me up to 
a tree and whipped me nearly to death, and then let me go. 
Some of them may have to pay for it one of these days. 
I should not have been caught at Bowling Green if the 
boys had followed my advice.” 

“ W ere you acquainted with Brown who was killed at 
Bellevue?” 

“ Y es, my first horse was stolen under Brown’s instruc- 
tions.” 

“ I presume that was not the last one.” 

“No. Not by fifty.” 

“Tom Reynolds told me that John Long and Bob Birch 
were with you when you left St. Louis. How happened it 
that they were not arrested with you ? ” 

“ They left Old Mother Long’s where I was arrested, a 
few hours before the posse got there, and went down 
through Spice Valley to New Albany on the Ohio river, 
at which place they intended to take steamboat for Cin- 
cinnati.” 

“ Then I may meet with them there. Do you think 
they would assist me in disposing of my counterfeit money ?” 

“ If you happen to see them, I think they would ; but 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 143 

they will leave before you get there. They intended to 
stop in Cincinnati only a few days.” 

“ Will they be near my route to or from Cincinnati, so 
that I can call and furnish them with a few thousand? It 
may be a benefit to them and me also. If so, I will call on 
them on my return.” 

“ They will not be near your road. They have gone 
back into the country towards Cleveland.” 

“That would be entirely off my road. I am anxious to 
get back to St. Louis as soon as possible. Are you ac- 
quainted in Ohio?” 

“ I have never traveled in that State, but know some of 
our friends there ? ” 

“ Who do you know there? ” 

“ Helms ^ who lives in Dresden on the Ohio Canal, is an 
extensive operator in our way, and Norton B, Royce^ who 
lives in Illinois, on Rock River, is now in Ohio, twenty- 
four miles north of Columbus, and there are several others 
in Ohio, concerning whom, I am only acquainted through 
report.” 

“ Are Long and Birch well acquainted up in Ohio, where 
they have gone ? ” 

“ They know Helms and Royce.” 

“ They have gone to Dresden, I suppose.” 

“No; they are at Berkshire in Delaware County, at 
which place they agreed to meet Royce on the first of 
August, to make a small raise. They could not have got 
there by that time, but are probably there now, and have 
doubtless made the raise before this time.” 

“ Who got up the sight for them ? ” 

“ Royce. He used to live there, and knew of some good 
sights, and told us if we would go out there, that we could 


144 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


raise three or four thousand dollars. Royce left Rock 
River early in July in order to get to Berkshire in time to 
make all necessary preliminary arrangements before our 
arrival. We were delayed on the way, and did not leave 
St. Louis until the first of August. Then I found a sight 
near the Wabash River, and concluded to return from Old 
Mother Long’s and make that raise, wKile Birch and Long 
were to proceed to Ohio, join Royce, and raise what money 
they could there; then return and meet me on the Ohio 
River. Under this arrangement Long and Birch left Old 
Mother Long’s before I was arrested. After I got out of 
jail at Bowling Green, I concluded to go home to father’s 
on a visit and remain until I could hear what disposition 
was made of the horses. I am now expecting letters from 
Long and Birch telling me where to meet them.” 


CHAPTER XIII. 


THE ARREST OF FOX, 


S the reader will have noticed, I allowed Fox to talk 



on in a loud and rambling manner, hoping that from 
all he said I should be able to extract such information as 
I desired. 

“ Who got up the sight for you on the Wabash River?” 
I inquired. 

“ yesse Roy ! an old acquaintance of ours, who keeps a 
station in Lawrence County, nine miles north of the county 
seat.” 

“ Is it a good sight, and easy to raise?” 

“It is small: only seven or eight hundred dollars. Ray 
gave me an accurate description of the premises, and loca- 
tion of the money. There is an old man living near Ray, 
who has at times loaned money to him, which in a few days 
he would return, noticing in what place the old man de- 
posited it. Ray says the old man lives in a decayed log 
hut, some distance from neighbors, and keeps his money 
concealed in the under bed, on which the old man and his 
wife sleep. They are very pious people, and attend church 
regularly every Sunday. I intend to go on Saturday night, 
and secrete myself in a hazel thicket, a short distance from 


146 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


the house, and wdtch until the family are gone to church ; 
then enter the house, rake down the money and put out 
with it.” 

“ When you return to make that raise, you had better 
stop and get the race nag, as it will be but little out of your 
way.” 

“ I don’t like to take the race nag down that way again. 
They may be on the look out, and trouble me. I will send 
some one after her. I suppose it will be necessary for you 
to give me an order to get her, before you leave.” 

“ Y ou can’t get her with an order.” 

“ Why not?” 

“ I always look out for breakers. Some one, you know,, 
might forge an order and get her. She is too valuable to 
lose, and I thought it well to guard against any trick.” 

“ Can no one get her but yourself?” 

“ Any one directed by me can procure her.” 

“ Tell me how if you please.” 

“ First, you must know where to go, and then how to 
manage to get her, so if you send any person after her you 
must be very particular in giving directions.” 

“ I am attentive.” 

“ Go up the Wabash River, on the east side, twenty 
miles above Terre Haute. You will see a farm house and 
barn ; the barn is set into a bank, with underground stables. 
Morrison is the name of the farmer. Enquire of him for 
a horse left there by a Mr. Brown. He will ask if you 
have an order from Mr. Brown, you will answer No, He 
will ask how do you expect me to give you the horse then ? 
You will say, by giving the proper sign. He will say, 
what sign? Upon which you must cross your wrists at 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 147 

right angles, and repeat the words, Robinson Crusoe^ when 
without further comment you will get your horse.” 

Fox was exceedingly amused at the novel sign, and 
watchword, and bursting into a fit of laughter, exclaimed, 
with a variety of oaths: 

“Well, that’s the sign and watchword, I evet 

heard of. I never should have thought of that plan to pre. 
vent deception. Bonney ! you are an old one^"* 

“ After all the trouble I had taken to get the beast intc 
my possession, I thought I would at least be smart enougf 
to take care of her.” 

“ Certainly.” 

“ To what place will Long and Birch direct their letter, 
when they write to you ?” 

“ They will write to Ray, to tell me where to meet then; ^ 
when I go back to make that raise. I presume Ray has jl 
letter from them before this time.” 

“ Do Long and Birch understand their business sufficienJy 
well to operate successfully ?” 

Yes, Long has travelled with me two years. He is a 
first-rate fellow, I never saw him stand back in a tight place. 
He would face the devil if it were necessary. I can always 
depend on him. If I send him to do a job, it is always 
done as well as if I were with him ; but I have no confi- 
dence in Birch. He is too self-conceited. He wants to be 
called Captain, and has a deal to say in planning an expedi- 
tion, but when he comes to a tight place, he always stands 
back, and says; 

“ Tou go ahead.” It is not so with Long. The more 
difficult and hazardous the task, the more bold and desper- 
ate he is. I have had a great many partners during the 
last nine years, but John is the best partner I ever had. He 


148 The Banditti of the Prairies, 

is honorable, and can be depended upon. I believe Birch 
would murder his best friend for two hundred dollars. 
When we parted, I told John he had best get rid of Birch, 
but don’t know whether he will. 

“ Have you ever been engaged in any robberies with 
Birch?” 

“ Yes, a large number. We were in a good many snaps 
up in Rock River, Illinois. Birch and I committed the 
robbery for which Bliss and Dewey were sent to the Peni- 
tentiary. Bliss had not the slightest knowledge of the 
transaction. Dewey, got up the sight, but took no further 
part in the robbery. I was also concerned in the robbery 
of Hascall, at Inlet Grove. I entered Hascall’s house in 
the night during a terrible thunder storm, and took his 
trunk of money from under the bed in which himself and 
wife were lying together. They were awake at the time 
and conversing, while I Was getting the trunk out from 
under the bed. The lightning shone so brightly that I 
could see every object in the room, yet I crawled upon the 
floor to the bed — secured the trunk and contents, and es- 
caped undiscovered, and without causing the slightest 
alarm.” 

“ V ery skilfully done.” 

“ Birch and I had the greatest time in attempting to rob 
Beach in Nauvoo. Amos Hodges ascertained that Beach 
had some four or flve thousand dollars, and the whole plan 
was arranged — Hodges went to Brigham Young and got 
his opinion whether it would be right to rob Beach, as he 
was a brother Mormon. About this time Amos was com- 
pelled to leave Nauvoo, in consequence of some robberies 
in Iowa, in which he was implicated. 


The Banditti of the Prairies 


149 


“ It appeared that Brigham Young thought as Birch and 
I were not exactly Mormons, it would not answer to allow 
us to rob Beach, and accordingly told him of the whole 
plot. Beach got several men to help him guard his house, 
of which we were ignorant. On Sunday night, the time 
we had set for the robbery, Birch and I entered the house, 
and when in the act of taking a trunk containing the 
money, from the top of a bureau, we discovered the guard 
on the hall stairs, and at the same time were seen by them. 
We retreated, and rushed through the hall, where a part of 
the guard were stationed. Several guns were snapped at 
us, but fortunately the caps burst. They all pursued us, 
and as we were leaping the fence, two shots were fired at 
us. We ran as if the devil was after us, crossing streets, 
lots, through gardens, and over ditches, until they lost sight 
of us. In the flight I fell into a ditch of muddy water, and 
Birch lost one of his shoes, but we made good our escape; 
crossed the Mississippi River, and reached Old Redden’s 
the same night.” 

“ I suppose you have also been out with Long.” 

“ Oh ! yes. Long and I were concerned in the robbery 
of Frink & Walker’s stage. In that we did not make 
much. We had expected to get hold of the Dixon land 
office money, but had been misinformed as to the time the 
receiver went to make his deposit.” 

“ Are you acquainted with John Baker, who has traveled 
in the Rock River Country?” 

“Yes; Baker and I traveled in company for two or three 
years, but we had a difficulty about some goods which we 
had raised from a peddler, at Troy Grove, in Illinois. I 
went south to spend the winter, and left the goods with 

10 


150 ' The Banditti of the Prairies, 

Baker to dispose of. When I returned he did not account 
for them to my satisfaction, so we dissolved partnership.” 

Thus the day wore away in conversation upon various 
topics connected with the gang, during which Fox said he 
had long been an intimate friend of Bridge, who has since 
been convicted as an accomplice in the Mulford robbery, 
and sentenced to the Penitentiary for a term of eight years. 
Fox stated that Bridge was owing him a large amount of 
money which he had loaned him at different times. Fox 
showed me a note for one hundred and sixty dollars, from 
which he said he had torn Bridge’s name, after having 
heard of his arrest on charge of the Mulford robbery, fear- 
ing that suspicion might rest upon him as an accomplice, if 
the note should be found in his possession. 

One little incident in my intercourse with Fox is worthy 
of mention, as showing how nearly my projects were 
defeated by a momentary carelessness on my own part. 

While Fox was making his statements I had my memo- 
randum book in my hand, taking down the names and 
place of residence of some of the gang, when the quick eye 
of Fox discovered in it a paper headed “Reward.” 

“ What is that reward ? ” he inquired with as little hesita- 
tion as possible. 

I replied, “Only a reward offered for some runaway ne- 
groes.” 

At the same time, in an indifferent manner. I closed my 
memorandum book, and put it in my pocket, continuing the 
conversation upon the subject on which I had taken the 
memorandum. 

This reward was, in fact, one offered for the “ arrest of 
the murderers of Col. George Davenport,” which I had 
imprudently placed in my memorandum book. 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


^51 

Having in this interview accomplished all that I desired 
relative to the track of Long and Birch, I retired to bed 
with Fox, as I had done on the previous night. I was 
still awaiting in anxious suspense for the arrival of the 
posse, but heard nothing from Johnson. 

The care and anxiety under which I was laboring, did 
not prevent my sleeping soundly. I was worn out by 
fatigue, exposure and ill-health, and it was daylight before 
I* awoke. 

After breakfast Fox saddled his horses, and prepared to 
accompany me to Connersville, which he supposed I desired 
to reach in time for the morning stage to Cincinnati. 

This did not exactly suit my plans, and accordingly as 
we W’ere about to mount our horses, I again inquired the 
distance to Connersville, and also to Centreville, knowing 
them to be nearly equal. I therefore proposed to return to 
Centreville, and take stage from there for Cincinnati, instead 
of from Connersville. 

Fox replied that he would accompany me to either place. 
We accordingly set out for Centreville, which we reached 
about nine o’clock in the morning. 

At the hotel, I noticed Johnson with the Sheriff, and his 
posse, ready to make the arrest. I gave them the signal to 
hold back for the present. 

Fox ordered his horses to the stable, and went down the 
street, to see an “old chum,” saying that he would return 
within an hour. 

This gave me all the time which I required to arrange 
my plans with Johnson and Sheriff Gentry. 

I instructed Johnson to arrest Fox on a feigned charge of 
stealing a race horse in Missouri, and to arrest myself on a 
charge of counterfeiting. I requested him to have Fox 


52 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


very closely searched, in order to discover if he had any 
money, or other articles in his possession which were taken 
from Col. Davenport, at the time of the robbery and murder. 

The blank sheets of bank notes, which would be found 
upon me would be sufficient to detain me to answer to the 
charge of counterfeiting. I would then give bail, while 
Johnson would place Fox in irons, and proceed with him to 
Indianapolis and confine him in jail. I would then proceed 
in my pursuit of Long and Birch, keep Fox entirely igno- 
rant of the part I was acting, as also of the fact that he was 
at all suspected of the murder of Col. Davenport. I desired 
this course to be adopted for two reasons; First, that the 
gang should not learn that Fox was arrested on the charge 
of being concerned in the murder of Col. Davenport, as 
others connected with him in that affair would take fright 
and escape, before I could complete the campaign against 
Long and Birch, and secure the arrest of all the murderers. 

My other reason was, that after capturing Long and 
Birch, it was my intention to return to Indianapolis, suffer 
myself to be thrown into the jail with Fox, on a feigned 
charge. I then intended to inform Fox that he was sus- 
pected of being one of the murderers of Col. Davenport, 
and that arrangements were in progress by means of which 
the authorities would convey him to Rock Island, to answer 
the charge before the proper legal tribunals. 

At this stage of the plot, I intended, if Fox appeared 
sufficiently alarmed, to propose to him that he should bribe 
the jailor to let him escape, upon the payment of one 
thousand dollars. I knew that for the purpose of raising 
the proposed sum it would be necessary for Fox to have 
recourse to the sum of money which he had buried in the 
bluffs on the Des Moines river, in Iowa. In this way I 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


153 


hoped to draw from Fox a disclosure of the place of con- 
cealment of the money, and recover the amount of which 
Col. Davenport was robbed. I then intended to convey 
Fox, together with the other murderers, to Rock Island. 

I had so far succeeded in my plot that I would have 
accomplished the whole scheme, if Johnson had been faith- 
ful, and followed my instructions as he had pledged himself 
to do. 

Desiring to complete some further arrangements with 
Fox before his arrest, I requested Johnson and Gentry to 
delay it, until I should give them the signal. 

When Fox returned to the hotel, I ordered a private 
room and some refreshments, over which we agreed upon 
an arrangement for future co-operation in business. I was 
to proceed to Cincinnati, finish and dispose of the sixty 
thousand dollars of counterfeit paper, and then return to 
the Wabash River, and get possession of the race nag. 

Fox was to go and raise the sight got up by Ray, get 
discharged from his liabilities on the bail bonds, at Bowling 
Green, and then with John Long and Birch, meet me on 
the Canada line, from whence we were to proceed through 
Canada and the Eastern States, robbing, horse racing, etc. 

All the time this arrangement was being fully determined 
upon, I was seated near the window of my room, from 
which I gave the signal for the arrest. 

In a few moments a slight tap was heard at the door. 

“ I wish the chambermaid would leave my room alone 
until the stage leaves,” I exclaimed. “ She can then have 
it all to herself.” 

I opened the door as if to request her to leave, when 
Johnson at the head of a dozen men entered the room. 

“ There are the men! arrest them! ” cried Johnson, 


154 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


Several persons seized hold of me by the legs, arms and 
throat, while the others took possession of F ox in the same 
manner. 

“ What is the meaning of this, gentlemen ? ” 1 cried, 
endeavoring to break away from their hold. 

“ You will know soon enough.” 

^ They forced us hastily from the room; up a flight of 
stairs to the third story, and into the same room in which 
I had first met with Fox. There they stripped and searched 
us both. 

Nothing was found upon the person of Fox except about 
fifty dollars in good money. 

In searching me, they found a pair of rifle pistols — a 
revolving six-shooter, bowie-knife and dirk cane, together 
with the blank sheets and about three hundred dollars in 
notes, mostly on the State Bank of Missouri, some of which 
were judged to be bad, being precisely like the blank bills 
in my possession, on the same bank, which I had so often 
shown as samples of my sixty thousand dollars. 

Thomas G. Noble, Esq., aided in the arrest and con- 
ducted the search. Several persons present, who were not 
in the secret of my plot, looked daggers at me, when the 
savage weapons and the blank bills were produced, forming, 
as they certainly did, very strong frima facie evidence of 
my guilt. I requested to see and consult with a lawyer, 
which, according to previous arrangement, was denied, 
both to F ox and myself. I did not wish my operations to 
be interfered with by any one, until I had brought Fox to 
the proper place to meet and defend the charges against 
him. I was too well aware of the quips and quirks of law, 
and had, I trust, an honest and well founded contempt of 
that class of lawyers whose trade it is, by means of their 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 155 

technical knowledge, to turn loose upon society men guilty 
of the blackest crimes, and, for a paltry fee, to aid in the 
escape from the just penalty of the law murderers and 
assassins. Such lawyers, if indeed they are worthy of the 
name, are the pests of society. 

The poet has truly said, “ An honest man is the noblest 
work of God.” It may with equal truth be said, that an 
honest, high-minded and upright lawyer is the brightest 
ornament, as well as the most useful member of society; 
but where one such lawyer is found, a dozen of the other 
class will always be near to counteract his influence and 
destroy his power. 

While we were undergoing the search, Johnson asked 
my name? 

“ Brown,” I replied. 

“Your name may be Brown, and it may be something 
else,” said Johnson; “ but, gentlemen, I have nothing to do 
with this Mr. Brown, as he calls himself. Appearances are 
against him, and I hope justice will be done him. I have a 
warrant for Mr. Fox, charging him with stealing a race 
horse in Missouri, and shall accordingly take him back with 
me.” 

All this had been previously arranged, and the words put 
in Johnson’s mouth. 

I replied to this : “ That now the nag was taken from 

Fox — she was detained at Bowling Green for several days, 
but a short time since, a villian calling his name Jack Brown, 
came to Bowling Green, claimed the nag and took her 
away ; but there is a man on his track, and I reckon he will 
have her by the time I get back.” 

Mr. Noble left the room, saying that he would go across 


156 The Banditti of the Prairies* 

the street to the court house, where the Circuit Court was 
then in session, and ascertain what should be done with me. 

By this time, the news that two blacklegs had been ar- 
rested, and were in custody at the hotel had become public 
in the street. Lawyers, from the court house, flocked to the 
door of the room for admission, hoping to secure a fee from 
the prisoners. Entrance being refused them, some appeared 
angry, while others walked away with the quiet indifference 
and composure characteristic of their profession, 

Mr. Noble having returned, said : 

“ Mr. Brown, I have had your money examined. It is 
all good, except one ten dollar bill, which is pronounced 
counterfeit by the cashier of the Bank.” 

I started with astonishment, and asked him to show me 
the bill. 

“ Here,” said he, “ is your money, except the counterfeit 
bill, and the blank sheets, which I must detain until your 
case comes before the court. I am instructed to admit you 
to bail in the sum of one hundred dollars, conditional for 
your appearance at court from day to day, until your case is 
disposed of, in default of which you will be committed to 
await the action of the grand jury.” 

Some of those present exclaimed against the small sum 
required as bail. 

“ As but one counterfeit bill was found in the possession 
of Mr, Brown, and the court entertain some doubts whether 
the blank sheets could be considered as counterfeit, they 
never having been signed, therefore fixed the amount of 
bail at the sum of one hundred dollars.” 

I propose to deposit that sum of money with any good 
man, as collateral, who would be my security on the bond. 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 157 

Mr. Noble replied, that he was clerk of the court; I 
might place that amount in his hands. 

I expressed a disinclination to deposit the money with 
Noble, giving him to understand that I was afraid I should 
never get it again. Upon this he ordered me to be com- 
mitted. 

The bystanders assured me that the money would be safe 
in Mr. Noble’s possession; that he was not only clerk of 
the court but an honorable man. I counted out the sum of 
one hundred dollars, and placed it in his hands, upon which 
I was released from custody, and left the room. 

From the moment of our arrest up to the time that I 
gave bail. Fox was present, and every movement, thus far, 
had tended to pave the way for the full consummation of 
my plans with him. He had not uttered a word, but stood 
gazing upon the proceedings with an anxious eye, and a 
countenance as pale as death, through which, as through a 
transparent glass, shone the horrors of a guilty conscience. 

After leaving the room in which Fox was confined, I 
made arrangements for his conveyance to Indianapolis with- 
out delay. A carriage was prepared, and Deputy Sheriff 
Pease engaged to accompany Johnson, with directions to 
crowd through at top speed, by changing horses at the stage 
stations, to prevent trouble or detention by habeas corpus, 
or other process, which would aid F ox to escape. 

All things being properly arranged, Johnson and Pease 
left with Fox securely ironed, and under the most rigid in- 
structions for his safe keeping. 

I then despatched a letter to Joseph Knox, Esq., inform^ 
ing him of what had been done, and that I was about start- 
ing for Columbus, Ohio, on the track of Long and Birch. 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 


158 

I also requested the editors of the papers at Centreville, 
and at Richmond, to refrain from publishing the arrest of 
Fox. 

I had thus secured the villain who I believed was the 
principal actor in the murder of Davenport, I considered 
that he was in safe hands, and that he could not by any pos- 
sibility escape. 

It was therefore with renewed hope and confidence of 
success that I proceeded on the track" of Long and Birch. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


PURSUIT OF LONG AND BIRCH. 



N the night of September 8th, I left Centreville by 


stage, for Columbus, Ohio, at which place I arrived 
on the morning of the loth. I visited the public hotels and 
examined the registers, but not finding the names of Long 
and Birch, or any t^-ack of them, I proceeded to the livery 
stable of General E. Gale, of Columbus, who dispatched a 
servant with horse and carriage, and conveyed me to Berk- 
shire, in Delaware County, twenty-four miles north' of 
Columbus, which I reached late in the afternoon, after a 
ride of three hours, and stopped at a public house, kept by 
a Mr. Van Sickle, being the only tavern in the place. 

After taking refreshment, I inquired after Norton B. 
Royce, of Illinois, and was told by Van Sickle that that 
individual had been staying with him for several weeks, but 
had just left for Illinois, having closed up his business in 
that part of the country. 

I then inquired after two men, without mentioning their 
names, but describing Long and Birch, as minutely as 
possible. 

After a pause, as if to summon something to his recollec- 
tion, he replied; 

“ There were two men answering your description, who 
called here two weeks ago, traveling towards the East. 


i6o The Banditti of the Prairies. 

They said they were going by way of Pittsburgh 
across the mountains to New York.” 

This unfavorable intelligence somewhat confused 
me, and I was for the moment at a loss what course to 
pursue. During this moment of hesitation Van Sickle 
watched my countenance as if to divine my motive. 
He inquired whether or not I had any particular 
business with the men. 

“I should have been very glad to have seen them. It 
would have been more for their advantage, however, than 
my own.” 

“It is very probable that you may ascertain the route 
they have taken, by 'going to the stage station.” 

I stood for a moment in deep thought, when recovering 
my self-possession, and presuming Van Sickle to be an 
honest man, I raised my eyes to his countenance, and was 
about to disclose my business to him, and explain the full 
guilt of the men of whom I was in pursuit, but a peculiar 
look in his eyes, a general expression of countenance, such 
as no honest man ever possessed, prevented the disclosure. 

“ My business,” I said, “ is not of a very urgent character. 
Some other time, perhaps, will do as well.” 

“ If you were to tell me your business with them,” said 
Van Sickle, “I may be able to inform them of it.” 

“ Well, I suppose you may be trusted. These two men 
I wish to see, and myself, are joint owners of a fine race 
nag, now in Indiana. I have made up a race for a purse of 
five hundred dollars, which is to be run on the first day of 
next October. The smallest of these two men, whose 
name is Long, is well acquainted with the race nag, and 
has ridden her at several races, and I wanted him to ride 
this race now. Besides, as they are part owners of the 
nag, they would doubtless like to be present at the race. 


The Banditti of the Prairies. i6i 

However, as they have doubtless crossed the mountains, I 
may as well return and get some one else to ride her.” 

“ I have no doubt,” replied V an Sickle, “ that these men 
are the same that you wish to see. I remember hearing 
them say something about owning a very valuable race 
mare, which they had left in Indiana. They must be the 
same ones.” 

“ W ell, when they return, tell them that I have called.” 

“ They may be at Dresden, on the Ohio canal, now. 
Perhaps you can overtake them before they cross the 
mountains.” 

Suspecting by this time that Van Sickle was one of the 
boys, I ventured a bold question, and asked him : 

“ If Long and Birch had been speculating much in that 
part of the country.” 

“Not a great deal. They were not known by those 
names while stopping with me.” 

“Very likely not. We all of us find it convenient to 
change our names, to suit circumstances.” 

“ Of course.” 

“By what names did they call themselves while here?** 

“ Henderson and BlecherP 

“Yes; I have known them to travel under those names 
before. I suppose I must return without seeing them. Let 
me ask you one question before I go, however. “ V an 
Sickle ! ” said I, addressing him familiarly, and tickling him 
on one side, “ Don’t you occasionally speculate a little 
yourself? ” 

“ In what way do you mean? ” 

“ Give me your solemn promise not to betray me, and I 
will speak more freely.” 


The Banditti of the Prairies^ 


162 

* Have no fears, I can keep a secret as well as any other 
man.” 

Taking my sheets of blank bills from my pockets, I 
showed them to him, asking: 

“ How do you like the looks of that article? ” 

“ They look d d well.” 

^ Would you like some of it? ” 

“ Have you plenty on hand ? ” 

“ Only a sample with me, but can get all that I want.” 

“I would some; if they were only signed,” 

“ When I reach Cincinnati, I can forward you as much 
as you please. You can use a large amount of it around 
this part of the country. Y ou notice, it is nearly as good 
as the genuine bill.” 

“ When you first called and inquired for Royce, and 
then for Long and Birch, I suspected you were an officer 
in pursuit of the boys for some offence, but no officer can 
track a man away from my house. Royce will be here 
this evening. He has not returned to Illinois as I told you, 
but has gone up into Marion County. He will return this 
evening.” 

“ Are the other boys with him ? ” 

“ No. But they are not far off, Royce will know where 
they are.” 

“ I think I can read a man’s countenance. I knew you 
were one of our boys as soon as I saw you. I would like 
to see Royce, but can’t stay now. Indeed I do not care 
particularly about it, unless Long can be got to ride the 
race nag. On the whole, I think I will return to Columbus 
this evening, and take to-morrow’s stage for Indiana. As 
soon as the contemplated race is decided I must go to 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 163 

Cincinnati, but will return this way and furnish you all 
you want in my line.” 

Of course it was not difficult for Van Sickle to persuade 
me to stay with him until the next day. 

About dark Royce returned and was pointed ou- to me 
by Van Sickle. I introduced myself to him as an old 
acquaintance of Fox, and after some unimportant conver- 
sation, remarked : 

“ Mr. Royce, as Fox assured me that you were an old 
and intimate acquaintance of his, and of the right stripe, I 
shall take the liberty of speaking freely, and presume that 
I have nothing to fear in disclosing my business ^o you.” 

“ I am very well acquainted with F ox. He told me that 
you and some of the boys were here operating a little, and 
requested me to call and ascertain how you are getting 
along.” 

“ What is Fox doing now? ” 

“ He was not doing anything when I left. He has had 
some trouble since Long and Birch separated from him. 
He was arrested with some horses that the boys raised near 
St. Louis, but is out now on bail. I have got the horses 
away, so that there is no evidence against him, and he will 
eventually get clear. He won’t do much now until he 
hears from you and the boys. He told me that you had 
got up a few sights here, and that Long and Birch had 
come to help you raise them.” 

“ Yes, but we have not accomplished much yet. Does 
Van Sickle know you? ” 

“ I told him my name, and that I was after Long to ride 
their race nag, in a race to be run on the ist of October 
next, for a purse of five hundred dollars, but I have told 
him nothing of yours or the boys business here. 


164 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


“That was right. Van is a good fellow, but we dare 
not tell him all our affairs. He is not sufficiently discreet.” 

“ As regards my own business at this time, I am getting 
up a large amount of rag currency at Cincinnati, of which 
I have a sample,” producing my blank sheets. “ F ox told 
me that as you had probably made a raise of three sights, 
and would therefore be flush with funds, you might want a 
large amount of goods in my line, for which reason I 
thought best to call upon you on my way to Cincinnati. I 
shall have about sixty thousand dollars ready, as soon as 
two men can date and sign the bills. I would like very 
well to show Long and Birch a sample, and ascertain how 
much of it they will take.” 

“ The boys are forty or fifty miles from here now, and 
have accomplished nothing since coming into this part of 
the country. They promised to meet me here on the ist 
of August, but did not, in consequence of which we have 
lost two good sights. I had an old aunt here, who lately 
sold her property for twenty-two hundred dollars in gold. 
If the boys had been here, we could have raised all that 
without the least difficulty, but she left about the loth of 
August, went West, and paid out her money for a new 
home. Then there was a merchant one mile north of this 
place, who had eighteen hundred dollars in his trunk, with 
which he started to purchase goods in New York, leaving 
here about the middle of August. 

“ These two sights, making four thousand dollars, we 
might as well have had as not. As it is, we have lost the 
whole. The boys however, are out making arrangements 
to raise another sight we have on hand.” 

“ Is this last a good sight? ” 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 165 

“Pretty fair. We expect to raise about sixteen hundred 
dollars.” 

“ What direction is it from here ? ” 

“ Nearly a north course. In the northwest corner of 
Knox, on the edge of Marion county.” 

“ How are things situated } Will they get the money 
without difficulty?” 

“ Yes, the owner is an old Jersey farmer. He has only a 
small family, and lives at a considerable distance from any 
neighbors, in a small frame house, the doors of which he 
never fastens. The boys went up to make the raise about 
ten days ago, but there was a camp meeting in the neighbor, 
hood, and some of the brethren were staying with this 
family every night. Consequently they thought best to re^ 
turn, and wait until the camp meeting was over, and noW 
they are on their second tour of observation. I have been 
up myself to see them once since they left, and discovered 
that they were getting along finely. They have examined 
the premises during the night, and Long raised the door- 
latch, and opened the door, which was not fastened 

“ Where do they stay, while making arrangments to raise 
the money ? ” 

“ In the woods, and in hay stacks near by the house. 
There is a large corn-field extending from the house to the 
neighboring forest, providing ample cover to and from the 
dwelling. I saw them night before last,' and left provisions 
with them sufficient for four or five days, when I shall see 
them again.” 

“ Do they know the situation of the rooms in the house?” 

“ Yes, during the season of the camp meeting Long went 
to the house and asked to stay over night, but was refused 
because they were full of the preachers. Long, however, 


i66 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 


discovered that there 'were but t'wo rooms in the house. 
The family sleep in the apartment occupied for a kitchen.” 

“ Did you learn the old man’s name ? ” 

“Yes; but I have forgotten it. It 'was something like 
Black, Blackman or Blackburn.” 

“Will you see them again before they make the raise?” 

“Yes; Saturday night next, I have promised to carry 
them more provisions. We have agreed on a place to meet 
at precisely twelve o’clock at night. I shall then learn more 
about the matter, and if everything is right we shall make 
the raise on Sunday night.” 

“ I presume you will leave this part of the country as 
soon as possible after making the raise, traveling during the 
night to avoid pursuit.” 

“ Y es ; we always travel as far from the vicinity of a 
transaction as possible the first night after making a raise. 
We then conceal ourselves during the succeeding day, pro- 
ceed again under the cover of night until we get beyond 
the reach of suspicion. In this way there is no danger of 
detection.” 

“Will you have help enough to make the raise in case 
you should meet with opposition ? ” 

“I think we shall. No better men than John and Birch 
ever yet followed up a sight and we shall all be well armed.’’ 

“ I would like to meet with you, and the boys, at some 
suitable place, as soon as convenient, after you have made 
this raise. If the boys have good luck in it, they will then 
be prepared to purchase a quantity of my rag money. It 
will take but a short time to sign and date it, and it will then 
be ready for use.” 

“We will meet you wherever you please. We have no 
other sights to raise in this vicinity, and it will make no 


■The Banditti of the Prairies, 167 

difference with any of us, in which way we go after leav- 
ing here. So suit yourself as to place of meeting.” 

“ If I knew exactly the length of time I shall be detained 
at Cincinnati, I could better determine when and where to 
meet you, but we must come to some definite understand- 
ing before I return. I am somewhat fearful too, that you 
have not help enough to make the raise.” 

“We thought so ourselves at first, and Long went out to 
Dresden to get Helms to help us, but he was not at home, 
and we concluded after examining the house, and noticing 
the situation of the family, that our force was sufficient.” 

Much more conversation passed between us upon this and 
various other operations of the gang untH late at night, 
when we separated. 

Notwithstanding the great fatigue of traveling by stage 
day and night, involving loss of sleep, the present crisis 
was one of too much importance, and too much remained 
still to be accomplished, to permit me to spare even the 
time necessary to renovate exhausted nature. Sleep de- 
parted from me, and a variety of expedients crowded at 
once upon my troubled mind. I had no difficulty in fixing 
upon a time and place to meet with and capture Royce, 
Long, and Birch, after the commission of their contemplated 
robbery, but as I lay in the deep silence of night, it seemed 
as if there passed before my mental eye the bloody scenes 
enacted at the late residence of Miller and Liecy, and in 
the halls of the lamented Davenport. I felt that in the quiet 
farm house of the worthy old Jerseyman, similar scenes 
were about to take place, and it was my duty to endeavor 
at least to prevent the villains from succeeding in their 
attempt. 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


1 68 

After spending a long and sleepless night and discussing 
various projects, weighing each in all the bearings I could 
think of, I at length decided upon one likely to prove suc- 
cessful in preventing this new robbery, and saving the un- 
suspecting family of the farmer from their danger, and at 
the same time enable me to capture the wretches. 

My plan was, to endeavor by proposing a more' brilliant 
operation than the one they had in view, to detach them 
from the pursuit of the one, on the ground of its little com- 
parative importance. 

In the morning I held another interview with Royce, 
and commenced at once upon my plan. 

“ Royce, I have long had a plot in contemplation, which, 
if carried into execution, will make four or five men rich, 
and the difficulty of getting men to assist me, in whom I 
can place implicit confidence, has as yet deterred me from 
executing my project; and I now seldom mention the sub- 
ject to any one. Fox,' however, has assured me that you are 
a man who may be fully trusted, and I will give you the 
outlines of the plot, which is, to rob the vaults of a bank 
containing about eighty thousand dollars.” 

“ If that can be done, it is just the speculation I would 
like to engage in.” 

“ It can be done with perfect safety. This thing of mak- 
ing small raises about the country is poor business. They 
are attended with too much risk for the profit they yield. 
A man who hazards his life and liberty ought to do it for 
an adequate result. Besides there is no more danger of de- 
tection in raising eighty thousand dollars than one thous- 
and. To carry out the plan I speak of successfully, will 
require four or five resolute, skillful and energetic men. 
F ox will go with me whenever I say the word, and I want 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


169 


no better man. He is the only one as yet whom I have 
selected to accompany me in the expedition. F rom his 
recommendation, although I am unacquainted with you, I 
would be willing that you should be one of the number. 
Then we ought to have one or two more to operate effec- 
tually. But at present, I am engaged in this matter at Cin- 
cinnati, and must attend to it in preference to any specula- 
tion.” 

“ Why not get Long and Birch to make out the number? 
Then we could go into this bank speculation as soon as 
you can get your counterfeit paper disposed of.” 

“ I am not sufficiently acquainted with Long and Birch, to 
trust them in an enterprise of so much importance. I must 
have men who will stand by me in any emergency, and fol- 
low my instructions to the letter.” 

“We can’t find better men for such an operation than 
Long and Birch. I have known them for a long time, and 
have been with them in a good many tight places. I never 
knew them to flinch. If practice is worth anything, they 
ought to be perfect, for they have been in such business for 
several years, and have always been successful. As far as 
my opinion is worth anything, I would as soon trust them 
as Fox. They are men as good and true as he, and under- 
stand the business as well.” 

“ Upon your recommendation, and what I have heard 
Fox say of them, I think I might safely include them in 
the number. They must, however, first pledge themselves 
follow my counsel in every respect. I have been at 
much expense and trouble to learn the situation of the 
vault, and all things connected with the internal situation of 
the banking house. Do you think they would be willing 
to engage in the adventure on such terms?” 


170 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


“Nothing would suit them better. Where is the bank, 
and how is it situated ? ” 

“ It is the South Bend Bank, in the State of Indiana. 
Were you ever there?” 

“No; I have heard of it though. How can we enter the 
vault, and secure the money ? ” 

“ By undermining the walls, and going in through the 
floor. We can then seize the boxes containing the specie 
and bank notes, and make off with them.” 

“ How soon will you be in readiness to make this bank 
raise ? ” 

“ If I wait to get through with my present speculation, 
it will be at least four weeks, but since we have been talking, 
I have thought of a different plan. You, Long and Birch, 
arid myself are now here together. Fox is within two 
hundred miles of us. Perhaps I had better return to Cin- 
cinnati, get the men at work, filling up and signing these 
bills, and then return by way of Indiana, where I will pick 
up Fox; while you and the boys, in the mean time, can 
make this raise of the old Jersey farmer; then we will all 
meet at some place, upon which we can mutually agree, 
and go and rob the bank, while my men are filling up the 
blank bills. How will that suit you? ” 

“ Exactly. We will meet you at any place you will de- 
signate.” 

“ As this robbery of the old farmer will naturally create 
great excitement in this vicinity, we must meet at some 
remote point. However, as this raise of yours is of little 
consequence compared with my sight on the South Bend 
Bank, I would suggest the policy of abandoning it, until 
we have disposed of my operation. You can then come 
back and make this raise, while I proceed to Cincinnati after 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 171 

my paper, which by that time will be completed. I can 
then supply you and the boys with any amount you want, 
and then we can each go our own way.” 

“Your idea is certainly a good one. I think the boy? 
will agree with us, and abandon the sight they are on for 
yours. Where shall we meet? ” 

“ When you see the boys, first find out if they are willing 
to leave their present sight for mine. If they will not, our 
place for meeting must be far from here. I think Adrian, 
Michigan, will be a good point, as it is directly on our road 
to South Bend.” 

“ How long will it detain you to do your business in Cin- 
cinnati, go after F ox and get around to Adrian ? ” 

“ To-day is Wednesday. I can reach Cincinnati to- 
morrow, remain there two days, which will occupy the 
remainder of this week. I will then go from Cincinnati, 
get Fox and meet you at Adrian next week on Saturday. 
Will you be there with Long and Birch on that day? If 
so, I will be punctual to the time.” 

“We will be there without fail. I will go and meet 
Long and Birch, on Saturday night; tell them the whole 
arrangment and advise them to abandon their sight for yours, 
and we will have sufficient time to arrive at Adrian at the 
time you propose.” 

“ Then let that be the understanding, and I shall not ex- 
pect to see you again until we meet at Adrian. I shall not 
return this way, as it will be much nearer for F ox and my- 
self to go from his father’s, in W ayne County, direct to 
Adrian. You and the boys must do as you think proper 
about raking down the old Jersey farmer, before you start 
for South Bend, but you have my opinion, that it would be 


1 72 The Banditti of the Prairies. 

advisable to defer it. Tell the boys Tom Brown is on 
hand.” 

Then taking a social glass of wine with him and Van 
Sickle, and promising to call as often as in my power, and 
to furnish Van Sickle with a good supply of the “ ready f 
and wishing each other success, with a hearty shaking of 
hands I took leave of Berkshire for Columbus, at which 
place I arrived about the middle of the day. 

Believing the plot I had arranged sufficient to place 
Long and Birch in a situation where I could capture them, 
the only fears I entertained were, that they might yet 
decide to rob, and perhaps murder the old Jersey farmer, 
before leaving that vicinity. I therefore proposed to inter- 
cept and arrest them in time to save the farriily, in case they 
should make such an attempt, and if not, to seize them on 
their way to Adrian, before they should cross the State 
line into Michigan. 

After filling the blanks in the requisitions of the Gover- 
nor of Illinois I proceeded to the office of the Secretary of 
State, to obtain writs from the Governor of Ohio, for the 
arrest of Long and Birch. The Governor and Secretary 
of State being absent, I applied to Mr. Woods, State 
Auditor, who was authorized by the Governor to transact 
such business in his absence from the seat of government. 

After much difficulty and no little persuasion, I obtained 
from Mr. Woods the writs necessary for the arrest; not 
however until I had convinced that honorable gentleman 
that, if the individuals for whom I held requisitions, were 
suffered to remain in the neighboring county a few da vs 
longer, the inhabitants would be glad to get rid of them on 
any terms, even if they applied the Lynch law. 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


173 


After obtaining the requisite official documents I pro- 
cured the services of E. Gale, Esq., of Columbus, late 
Adjutant General of the State of Ohio, who accompanied 
me that same night to Mount Vernon, the seat of justice 
for Knox County, a distance of forty-five miles. 

The following morning we visited the collector’s office to 
ascertain if a person by the name Royce had given us 
as that of the Jersey farmer, resided in the northwest part of 
Knox County, and also to learn his reputed circumstances. 
We determined to reach the abode of the farmer in time to 
protect his family from their impending fate. 

We found upon the assessment roll of Knox County, all 
the names which had been mentioned by Royce, and we 
learned upon further inquiry, that a camp meeting had 
recently been held in the northwest corner of Knox 
County. This intelligence convinced me that the state- 
ments of Royce were correct, and I accordingly employed 
A. Thrift, Esq., Sheriff of the County, to accompany us, 
and disclosed to him and to General Gale, as much of my 
business as I deemed prudent or necessary at the time. 

Before leaving Columbus for Mount Vernon, the State 
Auditor, Mr. Woods, furnished me with a letter of introduc- 
tion to A. B. Curtiss, Esq., of the latter place, recommend- 
ing me to his favorable notice and assistance. 

We left Mount Vernon in pursuit of the murderers; 
passed through Frederick, Middlebury, Franklin, and 
Chesterville to Mount Gilead in Marion County, but not 
finding the name, place, or description to correspond with 
our previous information, we stopped for the night, hoping 
that some new intelligence might be obtained. 

During the evening, I was introduced by Sheriff Thrift 
to a certain Mr, Shaw, a member of the Ohio Legislature 


1 74 The Banditti of the Prairies, 

from the County of Marion, to whom I disclosed the out- 
lines of my business. This gentleman stated that he knew 
of a Mr. Black, who resided a few miles distant from Mount 
Gilead, and who, judging from the description of his family 
and location of his premises, was probably the farmer whom 
the robbers intended to molest. 

At my request, Mr. Shaw accompanied us to the house 
of Mr. Black on the following morning, to whom I pro- 
pounded some indirect inquiries. Suddenly our new as- 
sociate, Mr. Shaw, became restless, evincing symptoms of 
alarm, and hurriedly swallowing a glass of water, departed. 
I was at a loss to account for the cause of his fear, but sup- 
posed he was seized with a momentary panic at the idea of 
the immediate neighborhood of bloody and remorseless 
robbers, and believing, like worthy John FalstafF, that 
prudence is the better part of valor, chose to make a safe 
retreat. 

A few moments’ conversation with Mr. Black, and an 
investigation of his premises, convinced me that he was not 
the selected victim. Picking up Mr. Shaw, we persuaded 
him to accompany us a few miles further, to the town of 
Galleon, in Richland County, where, being satisfied that he 
was not the soldier for this kind of warfare, we did not 
urge him to go with us further, and he returned to Mount 
Gilead. 

From Galleon we proceeded by a circuitous route to 
Johnsville without getting any trace of the villains. After 
two or three days spent in investigation and inquiry, we 
became well satisfied that the robbery of the Jersey farmer 
was deferred to prepare for the South Bend Bank robbery, 
and I congratulated myself that my plot to rescue the un- 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 1 75 

suspecting family from the grasp of the assassins had proved 
successful. 

Having already obtained writs from the Governor the 
next move in order was, to intercept and arrest the mur- 
derers before reaching the Michigan State line, on their 
way to Adrian. 

If I should fail in this attempt, and find it necessary to 
meet them at Adrian, another obstacle would remain to be 
overcome. In accordance with the arrangements I had 
made with Royce, I should be compelled to bring Fox with 
me. I knew that Long and Birch were old and experi- 
enced “ rats^"* and I was fearful that they would suspect a 
trap and guard against being decoyed into it, by sending 
Royce in advance, to see if Fox should make his appear- 
ance in company with Tom Brown, which latter gentle- 
man they were acquainted with only by reputation. In 
such a case it would be necessary to account satisfactorily 
for the absence of Fox. 

To prepare for this emergency, I wrote the following 
handbill : 

LOOK OUT FOR HORSE THIEVES ! ! 

“ On, or about the loth day of September, a man by the 
name of William Fox was arrested near Bowling Green, 
having in his possession three stolen horses. He gave bail 
for his appearance at the next term of the court in the sum 
of eight hundred dollars, and left the country. 

“ A few days afterwards a man calling his name Jack 
Brown, made his appearance, proved a claim upon the 
horses, and took them away. In a few days the real 
owners of the horses appeared, but nothing could be heard 
either of them or of Jack Brown, who it is supposed has 
gone to Cincinnati. 

“ The public would do well to be on the lookout, as a 


1 76 The Banditti of the Prairies. 

gang of horse thieves are In our midst.” — Wabash En- 
quirer, 

I took this article to a printing office, and had it struck 
off upon a piece of newspaper which was printed on the 
opposite side. Then by trimming the edges, I gave it the 
appearance of having been cut from a newspaper, and 
placed it carefully in my pocket to use as circumstances 
might require. 


CHAPTER XV. 


ARREST OF LONG AND BIRCH. 

E left Mount Vernon and returned through Fred- 



erick and Sparta to Berkshire, the residence of 


Van Sickle. 

Before reaching Berkshire, Sheriff Thrift, who was 
known to Van Sickle, left us and took another route, by 
which he reached that place late in the evening, and 
feigned to be an entire stranger to General Gale and myself. 

Soon after Thrift’s appearance. Van Sickle took me one 
side and informed me that the gentleman w'ho had just 
arrived was the Sheriff of Knox County, and wondered 
what his business was at that place. 

I quieted his fears by suggesting that he was probably on 
his way to Columbus, and that at any rate, he could have 
no business with me, as I was a stranger in that part of the 
country. I inquired if Royce had started on his return to 
Illinois, and was answered in the affirmative. He also 
stated that he had not heard of Long and Birch since I 


left. 


I promised to visit Van Sickle again after getting my 
counterfeit paper finished, and after attending the horse race 
in Indiana. 


178 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 


While at this place, Thrift, Gale and myself treated each 
other as strangers, and we left together the following morn- 
ing, as if accidentally. 

We proceeded to Delaware; thence to Marion, the seat 
of Marion County; thence to Little Sandusky, at which 
place we met with Birch^ on the race course, betting and 
gambling. He wore in plain view the gold watch-chain, 
and seal which were taken from Col. Davenport when he 
was murdered at Rock Island, and of which I had an 
accurate description in my pocket. Neither Royce nor 
Long was with him, and to have arrested him would have 
been to let Long escape. Besides, he was doubtless on his 
way to Adrian, and would join his confederates before 
reaching that place. 

Without making our business known to anyone, or 
instituting any inquiry, we left Birch on the race course^ 
and passed on a distance of seven miles, to Upper Sandusky. 
I had sufficient knowledge of the geography of the country 
to know Long and Birch would, on their way to Adrian, 
either pass through Lower Sandusky, or leave that place on 
the right, and cross the Maumee River at Perrysburgh. I 
therefore aimed to intercept them at one of these two 
points, and to take them to Rock Island by way of Detroit, 
St. Joseph and Chicago. 

I at this time wrote to Johnson, at Indianapolis, to pro- 
ceed with Fox to Springfield, Illinois. 

I took stage at Upper Sandusky, accompanied by Sheriff 
Thrift, to Tifiin; thence by railroad to Belleview in Huron 
County, at which place I found time to address a letter to 
Joseph Knox, Esq., of Rock Island, giving him a minute 
account of the progress I had made since succeeding in the 
^est of Fox. 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


179 


We arrived at Lower Sandusky early on the morning 
of the i8th. I called on Mr. Dickinson, acquainted him 
with the particulars of my business, gave him the names 
under which Long and Birch were traveling — Henderson 
and BlecJier — and made every arrangement with him for 
their arrest, if they should pass through Lower Sandusky 
on their way to Adrian. I supposed it probable that they 
would reach this place in the afternoon stage, from Little 
Sandusky. After completing this arrangement the Sheriff 
and myself took stage for Perrysburgh, a distance of thirty 
miles, for the purpose of guarding that point, and inter- 
cepting the murderers, if they should pass Lower Sandusky. 

About fifteen miles distant from this latter place, I 
recognized Royce a little ways in advance of the stage, 
traveling on foot, with a portmanteau on his shoulder. I 
had barely time to say to Sheriff Thrift, “ Treat me as a 
stranger,” when the stage came up with him. I beckoned 
to him, and the stage stopped to receive him. No questions 
were asked until we reached Howards’ Hotel, nine miles 
east of Perrysburgh, when the stage made a halt, and we 
dismounted. Royce inquired for Fox, and wished to know 
why he was not with me. He was also anxious to know 
who the gentleman with me was. 

I replied that he was a stranger to me, and that I had 
narrowly escaped detection and arrest for getting the 
horses from Bowling Green, and was forced to flee for 
safety. I promised to give him the particulars as soon as 
an opportunity could be had after reaching Perrysburgh. 
I then inquired for Long and Birch. Royce said they were 
coming on, and would meet him at the American Hotel in 
Perrysburgh that evening. I told him, that as we ought 
to avoid being seen in company, I would stop at the other 


i8o The Banditti of the Prairies, 

house, while he and the boys might meet at the American 
Hotel, when I would call upon them and prepare to go on 
to Adrian in company. 

At Perrysburgh, I stopped with Sheriff Thrift at the 
Stage House, for the purpose of making arrangements un- 
known to Royce for the arrest of Long and Birch imme- 
diately after their arrival. 

I called to my assistance J. C. Spink, Esq., to whom I 
had been referred by Mr. Dickinson, and our preparations 
were speedily made for the reception of the murderers. 

I then held an interview with Royce, who at first mani- 
fested much distrust because F ox was not with me. I was 
obliged to manufacture a story to quiet his suspicions. I 
told him that after leaving him at Berkshire, I had returned 
to Columbus, and from thence to Cincinnati. I had there 
stepped into a reading room and seen an article copied from 
the Wabash Enquirer, headed, “ Look out for horse 
thieves,” and speaking of me by the name of Jack Brown. 
I also learned that the City Police were on constant watch 
for me, I have, as you see, cut the article from the paper in 
which I found it, and now show it to you. 

Finding that Cincinnati was not a safe place for me, I 
went secretly and set the men at work filling up and sign- 
ing the blank bills. I then left the city, but discovering 
that the Sheriffs and Constables back in the country were 
also on the alert for Jack Brown, it would have been rash- 
ness in the extreme, as I thought, and you will readily ac- 
knowledge, for me to have gone back to Indiana. 

Under these circumstances I resolved to return through 
Columbus, and Berkshire, to meet you and the boys at 
Adrian. As soon as they arrive we will take counsel 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 


i8i 


together, and decide upon the best course to pursue. If 
necessary, one of the boys must go after Fox. 

This explanation, accompanied by the article purporting 
to have been cut from a Cincinnati daily paper, was a satis- 
factory explanation to Royce for the absence of Fox. He 
congratulated me on my fortunate and hair-breadth escape, 
and expressed the opinion that it would not be necessary to 
send for F ox to assist in the bank robbery, as from my de- 
scription of the situation of matters, he judged that four of 
us would be sufficient to make the raise. 

He stated that the name of the old Jereey farmer, who 
was about to b^ve been robbed by Long and Birch, went 
by the name of Wilborne. He had mistaken the name, 
when he saw me in Berkshire. The boys upon learning 
that he had seen Tom Brown^ and upon being informed of 
the project for robbing the South Bend [Bank, had decided 
at once in favor of abandoning the Wilborne Robbery, He 
said that they were in high spirits, and full of animation, at 
the prospect of uniting with their old friend Tom Brown, 
in an operation of so much promise. They had not seen 
him since he fled from Nauvoo. at the time the Hodges 
were arrested. 

The afternoon passed away in conversation, and at even- 
ing we each returned to our respective hotels, to await the 
arrival of Long and Birch. 

I watched for the approach of the murderers until eleven 
o’clock at night, and was about to retire, when a messenger 
arrived from Lower Sandusky, bearing the welcome in- 
telligence of the arrest of Long and Birch at that place, by 
a posse under the direction of R. Dickinson, Esq. 

Sheriff Thrift, at my request immediately arrested Royce, 

keeping him in total ignorance of the part I was acting in 

12 


1 82 The Banditti of the Prairies, 

the affair. Nothing was found upon his person of a crim- 
inal character, except one ten dollar counterfeit bill, upon 
the State Bank of Missouri. This was not considered suf- 
ficient to hold him to trial on a criminal charge, but at my 
request he was kept in custody for four days. I desired 
this, that he might be prevented from conveying the in- 
telligence of the arrest of Long and Birch to their confede- 
rates in the Davenport murder, until I could reach Rock 
Island and secure their arrest. 

Upon the person of Royce were also found three pistols, 
a bowie knife and a bundle of small slips of paper contain- 
ing names of persons, to the number of three or four hun- 
dred, who were supposed to be members of the organized 
gang of assassins in various parts of the country. 

We left Perry sburgh at two o’clock on the morning of 
the 19th of September, and arriving at Lower Sandusky 
about six, found Long and Birch safely lodged in jail. 

I called upon R. Dickinson, Esq., who had conducted the 
arrest, from whom I learned the particulars. 

About five o’clock in the afternoon of the day on which 
I had left Lower Sandusky the southern stage arrived, con- 
taining two passengers bearing a general resemblance to the 
description I had given Mr. Dickinson of Long and Birch, 
He had repaired to the stage house, examined the way bill 
and found their names entered as Henderson and Blecher. 
By this time, the two passengers had been taken to the 
Railroad House. Mr. Dickinson immediately raised a 
posse, proceeded to the house and arrested the murderers. 

An individual of suspicious appearance approached the 
house in advance of the posse and informed Long and 
Birch that they were about to be arrested. 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


183 

At even that moment Birch was standing at the bar, having 
first called for a glass of liquor. The landlord had stepped 
out for a pitcher of water. 

Birch ran to the door and saw the posse advancing within 
a few feet of him. He turned his back to them and tore 
from his watch the gold chain which he had taken from 
Col. Davenport, at the time of his murder, threw it inside 
of the bar, and turned again towards the door, when the 
posse rushed in and seized him. 

A more full account was afterwards given me by B, J. 
Bartlett and C. K. Watson, Esq., Attorney at Law at Lower 
Sandusky, who aided in the arrest. 

Mr. Bartlett and Mr. Pease took Birch by the arms, and 
Mr. Dickinson demanding to his see watch, drew it from his 
pocket, exclaiming: 

“ This is the watch ! ” 

Birch said: “ That is not his watch, it is my watch.” 

Messrs. Pease and Bartlett then conducted Birch to the 
court house, while others did the same by Long. On ar- 
riving there they were placed in separate rooms, and Bart- 
lett commenced searching Birch. He found eight dollars 
in paper money, a little silver, a box of percussion caps, 
bullets, bowie-knife, a gold breast-pin, a gold lever watch, 
and shorfly after a gold chain and seal were brought in, 
said to have been found near the place of arrest. This 
chain had been so forcibly detached from the watch, that 
the gold ring connecting them, was straightened out. 

Birch refused to give any account of himself, and declined 
answering all questions. 

Long also adopted the same course of conduct. Neither 
of them was informed that they were arrested on a charge 
of murder. 


184 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


Mr. Watson’s statement was similar to that of Bartlett. 
He gave the name of the man who had apprised Birch 
of his danger, as Nelson Rich. Upon the person of John 
Long was found a silver watch, and a few memoranda. 

When I first entered the jail at Lower Sandusky, where 
Long and Birch were confined. Long inquired of me for 
what murder they were arrested. 

“For the murder of Colonel Davenport, of Rock Island,” 
I replied. 

“Rock Island!” said he, as if he had never before heard 
the name. “Rock Island, where is that place? I never 
was there. I don’t know of any such place. I thought we 
were arrested on charge of having committed the Xenia 
murder, in Ohio.” 

This murder alluded to by Long occurred about the 3d 
of August. A store was broken open, two clerks who 
were sleeping in it, murdered, and the building robbed, and 
set on fire. 

Before leaving the jail Long tried by offering bribes, to 
induce me to let him escape. 

“ It is of no use. Long, to make such an attempt upon 
me.” 

“ What are you going to do with us? ” 

“ Take you to Rock Island.” 

“To be hung, I suppose.” 

“Yes, if you are convicted by a jury of your country- 
men.” 

“By ! you will lose your own life before you get 

me there.” 

“ I shall run my risk of that.” 

“ I have lots of friends all along the road, who will 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 185 

avenge any injury done to me. You had better accept my 
offer and let me escape.” 

Long,” I replied, “ I am neither to be bribed by your 
promises nor intimidated by your threats. You stand ar- 
rested on a charge of having committed a high crime. As 
to your guilt or innocence, it is not for me to inquire. My 
duty as an officer, requires me to convey you safely to Rock 
Island and deliver you both up to the proper authorities, 
and if I live, I shall do it.” 

Sheriff Thrift and myself spent the remainder of the day 
in seeing that the prisoners were properly ironed, prepara- 
tory to our starting on oUr journey with them. 

On the morning of the 20th, we left Lower Sandusky 
by stage for Detroit, reaching that place on the following 
day. We lodged the prisoners in jail, for safe keeping over 
night. The next morning we took them on board of the 
cars for St. Joseph, Michigan. 

As the cars were about leaving Detroit, the jailor took 
me one side and informed me that Long had met with an 
old confederate in prison, and had told him that I would 
never succeed in getting them through to Rock Island. 
That he and Birch intended to watch for an opportunity to 
get hold of our pistols, kill us, and make their escape. If 
they could not succeed in this, they had friends enough in 
Chicago, and between Chicago and Rock Island, who 
would find some means to rescue them, and set them at 
liberty. 

I communicated this information to Sheriff Thrift, and 
placed Birch under his immediate custody, taking Long 
under my own, as I believed him to be the boldest and 
most desperate of the two. 


i86 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


After traveling a considerable distance, Long finding 
himself closely guarded, and that his chance of getting 
hold of my pistols was not good, interrogated me as to the 
cause of suspicion having been fixed upon them, but getting 
no satisfactory answer, broke out upon me with all the 
violence of his nature. 

“ Bonney ! I tell you, you have got into a tight 

place. Birch has a great many friends in the country we 
are about to pass through, and they will have their revenge 
for this arrest. If he is injured, will suffer the conse- 
quences — mark my words!” 

These remarks, added to his threats in the jail at Lower 
Sandusky, and a disclosure of his desperate plans and in- 
tentions towards myself and Sheriff Thrift, induced me to 
deal harshly with him. 

“ Long,” said I, “ you must make no more threats, nor 
attempt to escape. If you do either, I will put a hundred 
weight of iron on you. I will hoop you from head to foot. 
If I see you trying to escape, you are a dead man ; mark 
my vfOxds\ Neither flatter yourself that your friends will 
rescue you from my custody. They can never take you 
away alive. I intend to treat you well, but I shall keep 
you safe. Believe me when I tell you that you and Birch 
must go to Rock Island, dead or alive.” 

This decided reply seemed to have the desired effect upon 
Long. He was sullen and restless for a few hours, after 
which he gave me no more trouble. 

Birch afterwards made another attempt to bribe me, by 
offering a large sum of money, saying, that if I would 
suffer them to escape, he could readily command ten thous- 
and dollars, through the assistance of his friends, which sum 
he would secure to me. 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 187 

I replied that I was acting in the discharge of an official 
duty, and that I had no price, except to fulfil the obligations 
resting upon me. 

“ V ery well, sir,'’ said he, “ if my offer is uhavailing, will 
you tell me what course you shall pursue, if my friends 
attempt to rescue us?” 

“I shall shoot you both. You may consider that the 
moment such an attempt is made, is the last moment of 
your existence.” 

“ But you would not kill us^ we are ironed and can do 
nothing. W e would not be to blame.” 

“ I know very well, Birch, that none of your friends 
will attempt your rescue, without some previous sign from 
you. You must go to Rock Island. Your only chance for 
escape is from the legal tribunals of the land. If you want 
to get there alive, you must give your friends no signal to 
interfere with me, whilst I am in the discharge of my 
duty.” 

From Detroit we reached Marshal by railroad, at the 
dusk of evening. We then took stage for St. Joseph, 
which we reached late in the afternoon of the next day, 
and embarked on board the steamer Champion, bound for 
Chicago. In consequence of a heavy gale upon the lake, 
the Champion was compelled to remain at St. Joseph until 
the evening of the 24th, during which time Captain E. B. 
Ward rendered us all the assistance in his power. 

While on our passage from St. Joseph to Chicago, Birch 
was exceedingly restless and frequently complained of sick- 
ness. 

Sheriff Thrift was constantly with him, permitting him 
to go wherever he chose upon the deck of the boat. When 
within a few miles of Chicago, Birch and Thrift passed 


iS8 The Banditti of the Prairies. 

into the gentleman’s cabin where I was keeping watch over 
Long. Thrift seated himself in a chair, and exhausted by 
constant watching and fatigue, soon fell into a sound sleep. 

Birch perceiving that the sheriff was lost in sleep, started 
from his seat and moved cautiously towards the companion 
way. I asked him where he was going? He said that he 
was sea-sick and wanted to go on deck. Knowing that it 
was impossible for him to escape from the boat, without 
jumping overboard, and that as he was heavily ironed, he 
could not swim for a moment, I suffered him for the first 
time during the passage to go on deck alone. 

In about ten minutes he returned to the cabin, and was 
speedily followed by the porter of the boat, who informed 
me that the prisoner had entered the captain’s office, where 
the clerk of the boat was sleeping at the time, and taken 
from it my portmanteau, which contained my traveling 
baggage together with all the articles taken from the pris- 
oners at the time of their arrest, except the gold watch and 
breast pin found upon Birch, and the watch-chain and seal 
of Col. Davenport. These I had taken the precaution to 
keep about my person. Birch, after getting the portmanteau 
had hurriedly thrown it with its contents into the lake. 

Among the articles lost with the portmanteau was the 
silver watch of which the Methodist Minister was robbed. 
Also the bowie knife that Birch flourished over the head 
of Mrs. Mulford, and a pistol belonging to John Long, 
which in all probability was the one from which Colonel 
Davenport had his fatal wound. 

On reaching Chicago, the porter made and subscribed an 
affidavit before Esq. Kercheval, Justice of the Peace, setting 
forth the above facts. 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 


189 


Birch afterwards confessed that he threw my portmanteau 
overboard for the purpose of destroying the evidence of 
his guilt, supposing it contained the watch-chain and seal 
of Col. Davenport. 

I conveyed the prisoners from the steamboat to the 
Chicago jail, and placed them in the custody of Sheriff 
Lowe, until eleven o’clock. 

While in jail, Mr. Wentworth of the Chicago Democrat, 
called to see the prisoners, and informed them of the arrest 
of Bridge, Oliver and McDole, on Rock River, and also 
of the disclosures of West. 

Birch became much alarmed, cried, and earnestly begged 
that he might remain confined in Chicago, until the excite- 
ment throughout the country should have subsided. He 
said he was afraid that he should be lynched ; that he was 
a very bad man, was guilty of robbery, larceny, etc., but 
protested his innocence of the Davenport murder. 

Long in the meantime appeared perfectly cool and uncon- 
cerned. He said that he had nothing to fear. He had 
never wronged a man in his life, and 

“ As for you, Birch, you are a d d fool, for making 

such a fuss.” 

Being myself worn down by constant watchfulness, and 
having still one hundred and eighty miles to travel through 
a sparsely populated country, where Long expected assis- 
tance from his friends to aid his escape, I considered it only 
common prudence to put extra irons upon the prisoners. 1 
also employed Deputy Sheriff Wisencraft of Chicago, a 
vigilant and trustworthy police officer, to accompany me to 
Rock Island. 

Frink, Walker & Co. furnished us with an extra stage 
coach in which we left Chicago. Unfortunately for our 


190 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


quiet and unmolested passage through the country, the 
stage left immediately after the arrival of the steamboat 
Champion, conveying passengers who had been with us 
crossing the lake, and who spread the news of the arrest of 
the Davenport murderers, several hours in advance of us, 
giving the friends of the prisoners sufficient time to rally to 
their rescue, if they were disposed to hazard the attempt. 
Orders, however, at our request were sent by the mail stage 
to the stage agent at Dixon, to detain the stage at that 
place, until the arrival of the extra. We hoped by this 
means to prevent the news getting in advance of us, beyond 
that point. 

At Naperville, thirty miles west of Chicago, I met with 
Hon. Judge Thomas, then holding his court at that place. 
Judge Thomas, having some knowledge of the extent and 
power of the gang, in the interior of the country, advised 
me to leave the main stage road, on the line of which the 
news had preceded me, and by reaching Dixon on a cir- 
cuitous route, avoid any concerted interception by the gang. 

We however determined to go ahead on the main road, 
and if molested to cut our way through, if possible, and if 
overpowered, to put the prisoners to death, rather than 
allow them to escape their just reward. 

We reached Little Rock about midnight, where the 
drivers made an effort to detain us until morning. After 
some altercation, however, we compelled them to go on. 

We were now approaching the heart of the country most 
infested by the gang. Although not disturbed by fear, we 
were watchful and anxious. Not to have felt some degree 
of doubt, would have been unnatural. There was enough 
in the scene and place itself to create in our minds a certain 
degree of anxiety. It was midnight, and our little party 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 191 

was alone, in the midst of an almost boundless prairie. 
Every turn in the road, every little rise of the prairie, 
might be the ambuscade of deadly and determined men, 
ready to hazard their own lives, and reckless of ours, to set 
their old companions at liberty. 

No wonder that we gazed out earnestly upon the moon- 
less night, and were grateful even for the faint star rays 
which cast a feeble light upon the darkness and desolation 
of the scene. 

We passed on in silence. Nothing was heard but the 
rumbling wheels, and the heavy breathing of the prisoners. 

Each hour of that dreary night seemed almost like an 
age of ordinary existence; we were ready and determined 
to resist with desperation any attack which should be made. 

After passing a few miles from Little Rock, two men 
made their appearance on horseback, emerging from a 
thicket, by the roadside, and came up alongside of the 
coach. A glass lamp was burning in the coach, and the 
windows and curtains were closed. 

These men attempted to look into the stage, first, by 
putting their faces against the windows, and then by 
attempting to lift up the curtains. They seemed desirous 
of ascertaining our strength. They then fell back, and 
after apparently holding a consultation, again advanced, 
and repeated their manoeuvre. 

At this time, Birch, in a careless way, but evidently to 
test my determination, said ; 

“ Bonney, these men are our friends. They have come 
to rescue us, as we told you they would.” 

I replied promptly, “ The moment they make the attempt 
shall be the last you pass on earth.” 


192 The Banditti of the Prairies* 

“You have a savage disposition, Bonney; would you 
murder us ? ” 

“ I would not call it murder. It would be taking the 
law in my own hands, and I would not be afraid to meet 
any court in Christendom on the issue.” 

Wisencraft gave them the same assurance, and they 
appeared fully convinced that such would be our action if 
they were to signal their friends, and accordingly withheld 
it. 

These two men continued to accompany us until near 
the dawn of day, often approaching the coach, but not once 
addressing any remark to its occupants, or to the driver. 
They then left us, and we saw no more of them. 

About nine o’clock in the morning we reached Dixon, 
and found the mail stage awaiting our arrival, to accompany 
us to Rock Island. 

F rom Dixon we proceeded on our way without interrup- 
tion, and without noticing anything worthy of suspicion, 
until we arrived within sixteen miles of Rock Island, where 
we stopped to take supper. 

While we were at supper a stranger took his seat in the 
extra we had chartered for our transportation, and that of 
the prisoners, and expressed his determination in opposition 
to all reasonable entreaties to accompany us as far as Rock 
Island. He was offered a seat in the regular mail coach, 
which he refused to aeccpt. I was at length under the 
necessity of ejecting him by force. 

About midnight of the 26th of September we reached 
Rock Island, and delivered our prisoners into the custody 
of Lemuel Andrews, Sheriff of Rock Island County, who 
lodged them safely in jail. 


CHAPTER XVL 


B eing myself worn down by fatigue and ill health, I 
was compelled to remain at Rock Island, and entrust 
the arrest of the residue of the murderers to other hands. 

In less than two hours after my arrival, D. P. Gregg, 
and Joseph Johnston, of Rock Island, were on their way to 
arrest Aaron Long who was then residing about six miles 
east of Galena, and John Baxter, who was then in Wiscon- 
sin, near Jefferson City. 

Birch finding himself safely lodged in jail, with no hope 
of escape, and the prospect of a speedy trial, intimated his 
willingness to make some disclosures, which might aid the 
authorities in a further prosecution of the gang, and lead to 
U recovery of the lost money and watch. 

I accordingly took Birch from his cell, and conducted 
Aim to a room in the jailor’s dwelling, where he commenced 
a confession, which he completed the following day. In 
his confession it will be noticed that Birch cautiously works 
himself out of the scrape, by endeavoring to account for 
his absence, and substituting the name of Brown in his 
stead, to make out the number. At a subsequent confes- 
sion he so far contradicted his first one, as to admit that he 
was a participator in the robbery and murder of Col^ Dav- 
enport, with a personal knowledge of the whole affair. 

The substance of his confession was as follows : 


The Banditti of the Pi'airies. 


194. 

Confession of Robert Birch at Rock Island. — About the 
27th of last June, John Long, Aaron Long, William Fox 
and myself, left Fort Madison, in Iowa Territory, in com- 
pany, on the steamboat Osprey. We went up the Miss- 
issippi, passed Rock Island, and landed at New Albany, 
Then all of us went up into the woods back from the river, 
eight or nine miles, John Long and myself went to a Mr, 
Miller’s, who was said to have a large amount of money. 
We both passed the house, and observed carefully the situa- 
tion of it. I passed on alone a short distance, while John 
went on to meet Aaron Long and Fox. 

F ox went to Miller’s and staid over night. In the morn- 
ing he asked Miller to change a ten dollar bill. This was 
for the purpose of ascertaining where Miller kept his 
money. Miller not being able to change the bill, we con- 
cluded he had not much money by him, and his robbery 
was abandoned for a while. 

Fox and the Longs went from there to Fulton, where 
they met with a man calling his name Lee., or Little 
Brown. 

I went over to Rock River, to help Bridge break jail. 

Fox, John, Aaron and Brown, stole a skiff and went 
down the river to a place near Rock Island, where they 
camped out. They remained there for several days, until 
the 4th of July, On that day they crossed the slough on 
to the Island in the same skiff they had stolen up the river. 
They had previously ascertained that the family of Col. 
Davenport would all be absent from the Island. 

Fox and John Long entered the house of Col. Daven- 
port through a back window, and commenced searching 
the house for money, leaving Aaron outside of the door to 
keep watch. 


The Ban.dltti of the Prairies^ 1 95 

As they were passing through a back hall, and about to 
enter into the parlor, Col. Davenport came into the room 
from another door. Fox turned to fly, when John Long 
cried to him: 

“ Take him^ Chunky P'* 

Fox turning, drew a pistol, and said to Davenport: 

“ Stand, sir!” 

At this instant, the pistol went off accidentally, and shot 
Davenport through the thigh. 

They then tied him, blindfolded him with P‘ox’s red silk 
handkerchief, a*nd taking him up stairs, made him unlock 
his safe, and after robbing it, they left Davenport on the 
bed, with a pitcher of water standing within his reach. 
They told me afterwards that they took from Davenport 
exactly four hundred dollars in notes, one flve france piece, 
his gold watch and chain, a gun, and one pistol. 

John Long said that when they left the house, he was 
afraid that the old man would die, he bled so freely, and 
had fainted two or three times. 

They then re-crossed the slough, and fled to Rock River, 
where they stole another skiff, passed down the stream a 
few miles, and landed on the opposite shore. They pro- 
ceeded on to New Boston, stole another skiff, and floated 
down the Mississippi to Nauvoo. From there they went 
over to Old Redden’s at Devil Creek, and secreted the 
money and watch which they had taken from Davenport 
in Old Redden’s wheat field. 

yohn Baxter is the man who informed them of the par- 
ticulars which induced them to assail Col. Davenport. He 
is the man who got up the sight. By this term, I mean 
that he planned and arranged the robbery. He was not on 


196 The Banditti of the Prairies, 

the Island at the time it took place, but he advised and gave 
all necessary intelligence in the matter. 

Fox was the man who robbed Knox & Drury’s office at 
Rock Island. He got about six hundred dollars. Baxter 
also planned that robbery, and told F ox where to find the 
money. This was previous to the robbery of Col. Daven- 
port. W hen Fox returned from accomplishing it, I was 
boarding with Loomis at Nauvoa. Fox arrived there in 
the night time after I had retired to bed. The next morn- 
ing Loomis told me that he had got back, and had made a 
pretty good raise. He said he would be in again in the 
evening. That night Fox and myself slept together, and 
held a long consultation. He said he had the best sight on 
Rock Island he had ever found in his life. It was to rob 
old Col. Davenport, who had over one hundred thousand 
dollars in his house, and that John Baxter who knew all about 
Davenport’s circumstances, would give him all the informa- 
tion he wanted, whenever he got ready to do the job. It 
would be enough to make them all rich, and then they 
would quit the business. 

After the boys had robbed Davenport, and I returned 
from Rock River, I met Johfi, Aaron and Fox, at old 
Grant Redden’s, on Devil Creek. 

Aaron Long and William H. Redden went to Nauvoo, 
about the 12th of July, and there heard that D^ivenport 
was dead, and saw an advertisement for the murderers, 
describing the watch, and a part of the money. It also 
contained a partial description of the perpetrators of the 
deed. 

Aaron Long returned to Redden’s, told Fox, John and 
myself the news, and said that the description of two of the 
murderers was a d — d good one of John and Fox. 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


197 


The same night John and Fox went out into Old Red- 
den’s wheat field, took up the money and watch which 
they had got from Davenport, and then took the gun and 
pistol and went a considerable distance upon the prairie, 
and secreted them. 

The money was then divided in Redden’s house, Aaron 
Long receiving one hundred and forty dollars for his share, 

Aaron then left Redden’s and went back into Iowa 
Territory to steal a horse, after which he was to return to 
his father’s, near Galena. 

Fox, John, and I started for Missouri, and traveled till 
towards morning, when we crept into a large thicket, and 
slept till after sunrise. We then traveled on until within 
one or two miles of the Des Moines River, when we 
stopped at a farm house and got breakfast. Here John 
purchased some beeswax, telling the woman of the house 
that he was a tailor by trade, and was about to settle in his 
business at Farmington, about eight or ten miles distant. 

After getting breakfast, we left the main road, passed 
down a ravine back of the house, and at a distance of about 
a half mile, stopped, and made preparations to conceal the 
money and watch. They told me to take the beeswax 
and lay it on a rock to warm in the sun. A portion of the 
paper money taken from Knox and Dewey, was put into a 
glass bottle, together with some money that Fox, Long 
and others, had taken from a man by the name of Strawn, 
in Putnam County, Illinois. This bottle containing some 
eight or nine hundred dollars, was sealed over with bees- 
wax, and buried near that place, together with about two 
hundred dollars in silver tied up in a cloth. Davenport' 
watch was also enclosed in beeswax to prevent injury from 
wet, and buried with the money. When all had been got 


^JThe Banditti of the Prairies, 


198 

in readiness for the buna., Fox passed on a short distance 
up the bluff, and buried It. 

We then traveled on in company, crossed the Des Moines 
River, at an old mill, six or eight miles below Farmington, 
and went back into Macon County, Missouri, where F ox and 
Long stopped, while I went on ten or twelve miles farther 
to see a man by the name of Moat. I desired to ascertain, 
from this Moat, where a certain race mare was kept, be- 
longing to a Mr. Inyard, who, I knew, lived somewhere in 
the neighborhood of Centreville, Missouri. I obtained the 
desired information, and returning, told Fox and Long. 
Long stole the mare the following night. Fox and I stole 
two horses fifteen miles from Centreville, on the Glasgow 
road, and took them with the race mare to St. Louis. We 
left the two horses with Reynolds at St. Louis, and crossed 
the Mississippi, to Illinois Town, about the first of August. 
The next night we stole three horses at Belleville, then 
traveled east, crossing the Wabash river below Terre 
Haute. From thence we went to Old Mother Long’s in 
Owen County, Indiana. These three horses and the race 
mare, were the same animals found in the possession of 
Fox, at the time he was arrested and put in jail, at Bowling 
Green, in Clay County, Indiana. 

This information received from Birch in his confession, in 
addition to that already derived from Granville Young, 
clearly confirmed the guilt of John Baxter. N. Belcher, 
Esq., on the following day left Rock Island for Wisconsin, 
to aid Gregg and Johnson in the arrest of Baxter, 

On the same day I received intelligence of the escape of 
Fox from the custody of T. B. Johnson at Indianapolis, on 
the 16th day of September. Upon a full examination of 
the facts and circumstances connected with this escape, I 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 199 

am satisfied in my own mind that Johnson was bribed by 
Fox. To say the least of it, he was guilty of gross neglect 
and culpable misconduct. He violated every pledge he had 
made me, relative to the manner of keeping Fox. He 
never confined him in jail, as he was instructed to do, but 
kept him from the time of his arrival at Indianapolis, until 
he effected his escape, a period of eight days, in an upper 
room of Browning’s Hotel, and placed no other irons upon 
him than a pair of light handcuffs. 

George L. Davenport was absent from home at St. Louis, 
at the time of my arrival at Rock Island. On his return 
he called at Fort Madison, and learned that a gun and 
pistol had been found near old Grant Redden’s, secreted in 
the grass, at the edge of a slough on the prairie, the de- 
scription of which answered to that of his father’s. He 
went the distance of eight miles for the purpose of seeing 
them, and recognized them at once. He reached home 
with them a few days after the confession of Birch, thus far 
confirming his statements. This becoming publicly known, 
re-awakened the animosity of the people against the Red- 
den’s. The inhabitants of Lee County determined to sub- 
mit no longer to the depredations of the gang, and eager to 
investigate every suspicious circumstance, and ferret out the 
truth, they raised a posse at F ort Madison, to go and arrest 
the Reddens, and search their premises for stolen property. 

Sheriff Estes, being familiar with my plans and proposed 
movements, opposed the arrest of the Reddens, fearing 
that it might prevent the capture of the principal murderers. 
At that time he had not heard of the arrest of Fox, John 
Long and Birch. The posse however proceeded to the 
house of Redden, seized the old man, his son William H. 
Redden, and Granville Young, and lodged them all in jail, 


200 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 


at Fort Madison. The Reddens were retained there, but 
Young was soon afterwards removed to Rock Island, on 
suspicion of being engaged in the Davenport murder. 

F rom the description received from Birch of the conceal- 
ment of the money, on the Des Moines River, and, from 
the account given me by Reynolds, at St. Louis, and from 
information derived from Fox himself. Deputy Sheriff Cob 
of Rock Island, and myself took Birch from jail to assist us 
in searching for it. Accompanied by Wisencraft, and 
joined at Fort Madison by Sheriff Estes, and others of Lee 
County, we started under the direction of Birch for the 
spot where Fox had left him, to bury the money. We 
found everything exactly as described by him, the house 
where they had taken breakfast, the woman who sold Long 
the beeswax, the ravine, the old mill, the place where Fox 
overtook Birch after burying the money, but failed to find 
the money itself. After making diligent search we took 
our way back to Rock Island. Birch felt much dishearten- 
ed at our want of success, thinking that it would be still 
worse for him, after having put us to so much trouble for 
nothing. He was now in a state of utter despair, and 
believed the evidence against him sufficient to prove his 
guilt. The Circuit Court would be held at Rock Island 
the following week, and he expected to be tried, condemn- 
ed, and executed without further delay. He therefore 
considered that it would be useless for him longer to pro- 
test his innocence of the murder, and made another con- 
fession to Sheriff Estes, which was as follows: 

Confession of Birch to Estes. — I was present when Col. 
Davenport was murdered, in company with Fox, John 
Long and Aaron Long, folin Long was the man who 
shot Davenfort.^ but the shot was accidental. There was 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


201 


some defect in the lock of the pistol, and when John cocked 
it, it went off, hitting the old man in the knee or thigh. 
We did not choke and abuse the old man, as represented, 
but frequently wet his face with cold water, as he bled pro- 
fusely, and fainted several times from loss of blood. We 
wanted to keep him alive, to make him tell where his 
money was. 

Before we left the house, the boys wanted to kill the old 
man, but I opposed it. I never believed in killing. I 
would willingly have staid and taken care of the old 
Colonel all night, if I had dared to have done so. 

I intend to write a book, and tell everything I know 
about the whole gang. I expect to be hanged, and I want 
to do the world all the good I can before 1 die. I know a 
great many things about the boys who were engaged in 
this kind of business, and I wish to tell it all.” 

As I was about leaving Fort Madison, on my return to 
Rock Island with Birch, the Reddens, who had been till 
this time confined in jail at Fort Madison, were ordered 
befo’*e Judge Mason at Burlington, Iowa, on a writ of 
Habeas Corpus. 

Sheriff Estes took them on the same boat to convey 
them to Burlington, on which I had embarked for Rock 
Island. 

The steamboat arrived at Burlington, twenty-four miles 
from Fort Madison about twelve o’clock at night. Estes 
landed and went in pursuit of the jailor at Burlington, to 
take his prisoners in custody for safe keeping until morning, 
leaving the prisoners (the Reddens,) in the care of T. A. 
Walker, who had accompanied him as assistant. While 
Estes was off on the mission after the jailor, the steamboat 
left the landing with the prisoners and guards and arrived 


202 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


at Rock Island the following day, where they were im- 
mediately taken into custody by the Sheriff of Rock 
Island County, on charge of aiding in the murder of Col. 
Davenport. During my absence, Doct. Gregg, James John- 
son and N. Belcher had returned with Baxter and Aaron 
Long, and had them safely lodged in prison. 

The October term of the Rock Island Circuit Court, 
being already in session, John Baxter, William Fox, John 
Long, Aaron Long, Robert H. Birch, Granville Young, 
Grant Redden and Wm. H. Redden were severally indicted 
as principals and accessories in the murder of Col. Daven- 
port, of Rock Island County. 

Further confessions of Birch, were in substance as fol- 
lows: 

“ The first council for arranging the robbery of Col. 
Davenport was held in Joseph Smith’s old council chamber 
in Nauvoo. 

“Fox, John and Aaron Long, Jack Redden, and Hodges, 
O. P. Rockwell, John Ray, Wm. Louther, myself and 
several others whose names I don’t now recollect were 
present. I told the boys I was opposed to robbing Daven- 
port, as I had been at Rock Island several weeks during 
the winter previous, for the purpose of ascertaining whether 
Davenport kept any considerable amount of money by him. 
•I became satisfied by good authority, that if we should 
attempt to rob him we should not raise more than one 
thousand or fifteen hundred dollars, as I was informed he 
kept his money in banks, which would not be enough to 
pay for the risk, as I was satisfied it would be a difficult and 
dangerous operation to get the old man’s money, and get 
away safe with it. The boys disagreed with me. Fox 
said Baxter had lived with Davenport, and knew ah aoout 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 303 

his circumstances, and had told him they would get as 
much as thirty or forty thousand dollars. They all thought 
that Baxter knew better about Davenport’s circumstances 
than I did, and thought it best to rake the old fellow down. 

“ Rockwell remarked, that it was best for us to monopo- 
lize the business, as there was enough of us to raise all the 
good sights we could find. 

“Fox and myself attempted to rob Beach in Nauvoo, 
and would have succeeded, had not Brigham Young told 
Beach the plan. We came near being caught, but escaped, 
and crossed the river to Old Redden’s. 

“ When we left Redden’s to go up and rake down Old 
Davenport, we met with Young, and Bundy, at Fort Mad- 
ison. I had never seen Young before, but Long and Fox 
were well acquainted with him, and told him where we 
were going. Young wanted to go with us. The boys in- 
troduced us to each other, and told me that he wanted to 
join us, and were in fiwor of allowing him to do so. I 
did not like his looks, and said to the boys that I would not 
have him with us. I thought he was a d d sus- 

picious looking fellow, and that it was not safe to trust 
him, and as we had been at considerable trouble and ex- 
pense in getting up the sight, that we might as well have 
the whole benefit of the raise among ourselves, as make ^ 
further division of it, by admitting another partner. 

“Young did not accompany us from Forst Madison, but 
went somewhere up the river to sell a couple of horses he 
said he had stolen over on the Illinois river. 

Aaron Long took no part in the murder of Col. Daven- 
port, he being left out of doors to keep watch. 

“ If you want to arrest F ox, I can tell you where to find 
him. He and Tom Brown are together, either at Adrian^ 


204 


The Banditti of the Prahdes, 


or at Niles, in Michigan, not far from South Bend. If you 
start soon you will find him at one of those places, and I 
hope you will succeed in arresting him, for if we are to 
have a fuss, we may as well all take our chances together. 
Tom Brown and Artemas Johnson were both concerned 
with Stephen and, William Hodges in the murder of Mih 
ler and Liecy. 

“ Fox and John Baker robbed the peddler at Troy Grove 
— the most of the goods were taken to Nauvoo and secreted 
with Doctor A. B. Williams, and afterwards taken to Pack- 
ard’s Grove, where Baker remained to sell the goods, and 
Fox went South to spend the winter. Williams received a 
share of the goods for his trouble in secreting them.” 

Up to the time of this confession Birch was ignorant of 
the plot by which he and John Long had been entrapped^ 
and of the arrest of Fox. He supposed that Fox was with 
Royce and Tom Brown, (the name I had assumed,) near 
Adrian, waiting to rob the South Bend Bank. 

Soon afterwards, however, the jailor at Rock Island, dis- 
closed to them, the whole plot by which they had been pur- 
sued and arrested, and that the person who had been travel- 
ing in the gang for several months under the name of Tom 
Brown, who they supposed was Tom Brown of Nauvoo, 
was no other than Bonney. This information spread with 
the rapidity of lightning to all parts of the gang. Much 
terror and confusion was created by it, as their future safety 
depended on my destruction, as by my successful stratagem, 
I had obtained an extensive knowledge of their operations. 
All their exertions therefore were immediately brought to 
bear to accomplish this purpose. 

The disclosures of Birch led to an attempt to arrest Jack 
Redden, as accessory to the murder of Col. Davenport. L- 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


205 


E. Johnson was deputied to make the arrest, under authority 
of a warrant issued by Miles W. Conway, Esq., Justice of 
the Peace. 

Johnson repaired to Nauvoo, accompanied by Mr. Brad- 
ley of Burlington, Iowa. In attempting to make this ar- 
rest, these gentlemen were attacked by a large number of 
the Mormon gang, friendly to Redden, and after being 
severely beaten and wounded, were compelled to abandon 
the attempt. Mob law was triumphant, and the arm of the 
law of the land utterly powerless. 


CHAPTER XVIL 


TRIAL OF GRANVILLE YOUNG AND THE TWO LONGS. 

HE regular session of the Rock Island Circuit Court 



X commenced on the 6th day of October, 1845, 
Honor, Judge Brown, presiding. T. J. Turner, Esq., 
State’s Attorney. 

The same day, the Grand Jury found bills of indictment 
against Birch, Fox, the two Longs, Baxter and Young, for 
the murder of Col. George Davenport. Baxter was re- 
manded to jail, and Young and the two Longs put upon 
trial. 

A large number of jurymen were challenged for cause, 
and a few peremptorily. It was not till Thursday that a 
full jury was sworn. 

The case for the prosecution was opened by Mr. Mitchell. 

Mr. Wilkinson opened for the prisoners. The first 
witness introduced by the prosecution was Dr. P. Gregg, 
who being sworn, said : 

“ I am a physician and surgeon. On the 4th day of J uly 
last, I was summoned to attend at the house of Col. Daven- 
port. Upon arriving there I found Doctors Witherwax 
and Brown, up stairs with the Colonel, who was lying 
on the bed, with a gun-shot wound in his left thigh. On 
examination, it was decided that the wound required no 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 207 

great attention. The Colonel was sinking fast, from ex- 
haustion, in great agony, and cold from head to foot. I 
examined the wound, and found that there had been a 
profuse flow of blood. The blood was everywhere. The 
house looked like a butcher’s shamble — blood in the sitting- 
room, in the hall, and along up the stairs, and in the closet 
by the safe was a pool of blood, and in the room below 
there was the same. On the door case of the closet con- 
taining the safe, was the mark of a bloody hand. The left 
left leg of his pantaloons and the bed clothes were saturated 
with blood. I observed a contusion on his left arm or side, 
and he appeared as if he had been bruised or beaten. The 
gun-shot wound, and bad treatment killed him. I am of 
the opinion that any man of his age, without assistance, 
w’ould have died of the gun-shot wound. He was shot that 
day. I heard his dying declarations. He said he expected 
to die, and was not afraid. Said he was sitting in his front 
room, when hearing a noise in the back part of the house, 
he fancied it was some one at the well after water. The 
noise continuing, he arose to go and see what it was, when 
he was instantly assailed by three or more men. One of 
them shot him through the thigh, and these all rushed 
upon him, threw him down, bound and blindfolded him. 
The robbers forced him up stairs, dragging him by the 
neck to the closet, where his iron safe was placed, and being 
unable to open it themselves, compelled him to do so. They 
then forced him into his bed in another room, and choked j 
him until he was almost dead. 

“ His whole body was cold, and he entreated continually 
for something to ease him, and while we were rubbing his 
wounded leg, he would still call on us to rub it. 


2o8 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 


After the robbers had placed him on the bed, they 
inquired for more money. He told them that there was 
money in the bureau. On examining it, they mistook the 
drawer, and found no money, upon which they choked him 
until he was nearly senseless. They made him drink 
water, and threw it upon him, to bring him to again. One 
of the robbers was a short, slim man, to whom the Colonel 
made frequent allusion. 

“The Colonel died that day; I was with him at the 
time.” 

Cross Examined. — The Colonel seemed to know that he 
was in a dying condition ; I endeavored to encourage him, 
but could not efface the impression. He said they rushed 
on him, bandaged his eyes, and tied his arms and legs. 

Examination in chief resumed. — He stated that the men 
got between six and seven hundred dollars in gold, silver, 
and Missouri bank notes, with his gold watch and chain. 

Benjamin Cole. — I was out on the 4th day of July fish- 
ing until the middle of the day. I went down the river to 
Rock Island or Davenport. There were two men and a 
boy in the skiff with me. As we came opposite to Col. 
Davenport’s house, between one and two o’clock, I heard 
the cry of Murder ! Help ! For God'^s sake : 

When I said to those who were with me, that some one 
was in distress there, and I would go and see about it, they 
remarked that it was probably only a piece of sport, as it 
was the 4th of July. Hearing the cry again, I declared I 
would go and see at any rate. We accordingly rowed to 
the shore, and went up to the house. At the gate, I wa'' 
met by a large bull dog and was obliged to coax bin 
a while, before he would allow me to pass. I rapped at th( 
door, but no one answered. I opened it, and the first thing 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


209 


I saw was a puddle of blood. I went to the back part of 
the house, but could neither hear nor see any one. I then 
went into the hall, from whence I heard the Colonel up 
stairs, calling for me to come up there. I went Up instantly, 
and found him lying on the bed. He asked me why I did 
not come sooner. I replied that I had come as soon as 
possi'ble, and was ready to do anything for him. He desired 
me to go for Doctor Brown, who he said was near the 
house, being in attendance at a pic-nic party, on the Island. 
I told the men to stay, and I ran for the Doctor. On my 
return, I sent the news to Davenport and Rock Island. 
Doctor Brown and myself watched the Colonel, and found 
the wound, which had nearly done bleeding. He. said that 
a gang of robbers had broken into his house, taken all his 
monej'^, and murdered him. 

Cross Examined. — The Colonel said that one of the 
gang was a small sized man. He shot him, and then they 
jumped on him. The handkerchief was off his head, and 
on the bed ; he said he was dying. 

Robert Birch sworn. — John Long told me that he and 
his brother Aaron, and Fox, and Lee or Little Brown had 
been at Rock Island, and robbed Old Colonel Davenport. 
They had accidentally shot him. 

Birch’s evidence on this trial, was almost word for word 
like his first confession. 

He said that no inducement had been held out to him to 
testify, but he gave his evidence voluntarily. 

George L. Davenj^ort sworn. — On the 4th of July last, I 
went to my father’s house on the Island, in company with 
Doctor Gregg. I found my father suffering, in extreme 
pain. He told me he had been robbed and murdered. That 
three persons had attacked him, one of whom had shot him. 


210 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


They had bound him, dragged him up stairs by the shirt 
collar, and choked him nearly to death, to make him dis- 
close where his money was concealed. The man who shot 
him had on a cloth cap, and was a small, slim man. They 
told him they would burn the house, and him in it, if he 
did not disclose where his money was, but the one who shot 
him opposed this course. They were disturbed, and left him 
preciptately. The room in which my father was left, over- 
looked the river. He died about nine o’clock that night. 

I got father’s gun and pistol about nine miles below Fort 
Madison, at a Mr. Hopkins. They were found in a slough 
near by. I had no difficulty in identifying them. The gun 
had a Dutch name on it, silver pegs, and a split on the side 
of the stock. 

He also identified the watch-chain and seal as having be- 
longed to his father. 

Cross Examined, — Father said that they fired at him, 
and that he rushed tor his cane. They followed him and 
bandaged his eyes. He saw three men, and thought there 
were more of them. The withes were not on him when I 
first saw him. He had gnawed them off before he got any 
assistance, with his teeth. He complained of shortness of 
breath. His tongue, lips and throat were swollen. 

Bailey Daven'port sworn, — The statements of this wit- 
ness are a repetition of his father’s dying account of his 
assassination. 

Frederick Redenburgh sworn, — I was a clerk in Belch- 
er’s grocery. Aaron Long came in and bought bread of 
me, a aay or two before the 4th of July. I have no doubt 
of his identity. I saw him on the steamboat in the custody 
of Gregg and Johnson. He asked for the bread in a hur- 
ried manner, paid for it and went out. I do not recognize 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 2ii 

the other prisoners. Aaron Long bought bread before the 
4th of July, not after. 

John Long was brought before the ury, and his. boots 
were examined. They were rights and lefts, with small 
heels. 

Mr, Cole recalled , — I saw tracks under the window. 
John Long’s boots look like the same by which the small - 
tracks were made. 

Dr, Gregg- recalled , — I measured the track under the 
window at Col. Davenport’s house, and at Wilson’s Ferry, 
on Rock River, and found them identical. 

William Kale sworn , — I recognize John Long. I saw 
him at the saloon in Rock Island, the week of the 4th of 
July. He bought some liquor, and had it put in a pint 
flask. The first time he was there he staid but a short 
time, and went up the river towards Moline. He was also 
at the saloon, and bought liquor on the morning of the 4th 
of July. 

Daniel Stephens sworn , — I found a fine skiff with hick- 
ory bark in it up the slough, opposite the Island, about half 
past four o’clock the 4th of July. The skiff was drawn 
up out of the river, opposite where the tracks led from Col. 
Davenport’s house to the slough. There were tracks which 
led up the bank from the skiff towards the bluff. There 
was one piece of dry bark in the skiff, and one piece of 
green. 

Pieces of bark were shown to the witness, which he 
swore were the same as those found in the skiff. No owner 
had ever come for the skiff. 

y. B, Cobb sworn , — I remember having seen one of the 
prisoners, John Long. I was coming from Moline in com- 
pany with Sheriff Andrews. We met him about opposite 


212 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


to Rock Island. We noticed him more particularly as he 
had a pistol sticking out of his pantaloons pocket. 

William Fuller sworn. — Had seen all three of the pris- 
oners in Iowa, Long went by the name of Henderson. 

Frazier Wilson sworn. — I examined the tracks on the 4 th 
of July, leading to the slough, and in several other places. 
There were three or four distinctly different tracks, one, 
that of a large square-toed boot, another of a small boot, 
with a fine round heel. It seemed as if the persons who 
made them were going rapidly, the heels struck hard, mak- 
ing a deep impression. I also saw the tracks at E. W. 
Wilson’s Ferry on Rock River. They were the same. 
There were three different tracks on one trail. 

Grant Redden swor7i. — I know the prisoners, John and 
Aaron Long, and Granville Young. They were at my 
house in Lee County, Iowa. John and Aaron were there 
the 6 th or 8 th of July. They said they had been to Mis- 
souri. I think John Long staid with me all night, but am 
not certain. Aaron Long staid two nights. I never heai*ti 
any conversation in relation to Rock Island or Col. Daven- 
port. 

foseph Johnson sworn. — I assisted in arresting Aaron 
Long, a week ago last Sunday, eight or nine miles from 
Galena, on Sand Prairie. He was at work, haying. We 
took him to his father’s and searched the old man’s house. 
We found several letters, one written by a Capt. Short. 
Aaron said he had passed Rock Island several times, but 
had never stopped there. He wanted to know what he 
was arrested for. He said he could not imagine unless it 
was for the murder of Colonel Davenport, or for passing 
counterfeit money. If for the first, he was innocent. I told 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 


213 


him that there was considerable evidence against him. He 
wanted to know if he could not be sent to the Penitentiary. 

While searching Old Long’s house we discovered a good 
many things. A large quantity of calico, linen, table 
cloths, women’s dresses, and also a pair of bloody pants, 
Aaron said they were his. He said he got them bloodied 
butchering. Dr. Gregg found them in the bottom of an 
old box, under other things. We found more than twenty 
pairs of pantaloons of various sizes, old and new; but only 
one bloody pair. 

I communicated nothing directly to Aaron as to the 
charge upon which he was arrested, until after he told me 
that he did not know for what he could have been arrested. 

Jesse Maxwell sworn. — I found two coats on the 8th of 
August, about one hundred and fifty rods to the right of 
the road leading from here to Moline, in a thicket near the 
slough. It was about opposite Rock Island. Bushes and 
leaves were thrown over the coats. Blood was on the 
sleeves and skirts, a pair of kid gloves in the pocket of one 
coat. 

The gloves were produced and found to resemble a pair 
in the possession of John Long. The coats were also pro^ 
duced. 

Nathaniel Belcher sworn* — The evidence of this witness 
related to a conversation with Aaron Long in person, in 
which Long stated repeatedly that he had never been at 
Rock Island. 

David Kir kfatrick sworn. — I was confined in the debtor’s 
prison. Overheard several conversations between John 
Long and Young before Aaron had been arrested. They 
said Jack Redden would “shoot.” 

Young said: “ We shall all be hanged.” 

14 


214 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 


John Long said: “He was afraid that cowardly Birch 
would play the devil with them.” 

I heard no admissions that they were guilty. Young 
said: “ If Jack Redden is caught he will squeal like a pig.” 

Eston C. Croj^per sworn , — I have been keeper of the 
prisoners. Have overheard a great deal of conversation 
amongst them. They said Bonney would be “nepoed,” 
which I understand to be their usual phrase for killed. 
They used the expression ^^nepo'*^ seven or eight times. A 
good deal of their talk was blind, and I could not under- 
stand it. 

Dr. H. Brown sworn. — This witness corroborated the 
statement of others who had described the wounds of Col. 
Davenport. Those wounds undoubtedly caused his death. 

E. Bonney sworn. — The testimony of this witness would 
be a mere repetition of facts previously stated in the narra- 
tive. He refused on his cross-examination, to state the 
means by which he had ferreted out the robbers, by which 
he gained the confidence of the gang, giving as his reason, 
that there were others yet to be arrested. 

T. A. Walker sworn . — I was present at the arrest of 
Young, and that of Old Redden and his son. It was at 
Redden’s house at Devil Creek. We searched the house. 
Young said he was at Prairie La Porte, on the 4th of July, 
and had never known Long or Birch. I took particular 
charge of Young on our way to Fort Madison. He seemed 
much terrified, and made many contradictory statements. 
I became convinced that he was connected with the mur- 
der of Davenport. 

The prosecution here rested the case, and the counsel for 
the prisoners did the same, having no witnesses to produce. 

It is unnecessary to give the arguments of the counsel, 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


215 


involving, as they did, a constant repetition of the evidence. 

Mr . Mitchell opened for the prosecution in a clear, brief 
speech. 

Mr, S. S. Yager for the defence, attended to the fact 
that the prisoners were denied separate trials, that age and 
ability had been brought to bear against them. Youth and 
inexperience employed in their defence. He protested 
against any credit being given to the evidence of Birch — 
who was stained with crime, etc., etc. He thought that 
Granville Young assuredly could not be found guilty. 

Thomas T, Turner spoke at length for the prosecution ; 
Mr. Cornwall for the defence; and Mr. Joseph Knox 
closed for the prosecution. 

The court informed the jury that they were judges both 
of the law and fact, and they retired. 

After one hour’s consultation, they returned a verdict of 
guilty against John Long, Aaron Long and Granville 
Y oung. 

The following morning they were brought in for sen- 
tence. John Long, true to the last to his daring character, 
upon hearing his condemnation, bowed gracefully to the 
judge, and thanked him, as if receiving a favor. The three 
prisoners were sentenced to be hung on the 19th day of 
October instant. 

The prisoners would no doubt have made a free and true 
confession of their guilt after their trial and conviction, but 
for the movements of the gang to suppress it, and at the 
same time destroy any further efforts on my part to bring 
others of their number to justice. 

Soon after the trial and sentence of the Longs and Young, 
S. Height, of Keokuk, Iowa Territory, made his appear- 
ance at the Jjail in Rock Island, and was permitted to have 


216 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 


an interview with the prisoners. He met them on the 
most friendly terms of intimacy, extended to them the 
hand of fellowship, as an old acquaintance, and told them 
that if they would follow his counsel, he could save them 
from their impending doom. 

As desperate men, they would of course resoit to any 
measures to effect their escape, and the following con- 
spiracy was agreed upon. Height proceeded at once to 
Fort Madison, Iowa, where the Grand Jury was then in 
session, and having procured several of the gang from 
Nauvoo, took them before the Grand Jury, and upon their 
oaths, four indictments were procured against me. Three 
of them were on charge of counterfeiting. The fourth was 
on charge of the murder of Miller and Liccy, for which 
the Hodges were executed. An arrest under this charge 
would prevent me from obtaining bail, and of course I 
would have to submit to close confinement. With these 
several indictments he obtained a requisition from Gov. 
Chambers, of Iowa, on Gov. Ford, of Illinois, intending to 
have me arrested on the day set for the execution of the 
Longs and Young. 

In the meantime he intended to make such representa- 
tions to Governor Ford, as would induce him to order re- 
prieves of the murderers, which would give them hopes of 
a new trial, or of an opportunity to effect their escape from 
jail through the assistance of their friends in the gang. 

In view of my contemplated arrest, and the suspension of 
their execution through executive interference, and also to 
excite the public mind against me, the prisoners were to 
protest their innocence on the scaffold. They were also to 
charge me with having committed the worst of crimes 
while addressing the assemblage. 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 


217 


The officer bearing a writ from the Governor for m3; 
arrest should then present himself, and take me into custody;^ 
all which, would of course, if effectuall}' carried out, create 
a tremendous excitement against me, and in favor of the 
prisoners, and might result in a successful attempt to rescue 
the convicts from the custody of the officers, and enable 
them to escape. 

This plot was well planned, and is a good example of the 
ingenuity of desperation. The indictments were procured. 
The requestions were obtained from Governor Chambers, 
and presented to Governor F ord, who being familiar with 
my movements to ferret out and arrest the murderers, and 
being also acquainted with the character of the witnesses 
upon whose testimony the indictments had been found by 
the Grand Jury, peremptorily refused to obey the demands 
of the requisition. He told the messenger that he never 
would surrender Bonney to the authorities of Iowa, upon 
any charge made, and attempted to be sustained by such 
witnesses as those whose names accompanied the requisi- 
tions, and immediately addressed a letter to Gov. Chambers, 
of Iowa, setting forth the facts, and requesting him to recall 
the requisition. 

In the meantime I received a letter from Mr. L. E. John- 
son, of Fort Madison, informing me of the indictments 
which had been found against me, through the influence of 
Height, Heckman and others, and stating that it was the 
earnest wish of my friends, who were prepared to sustain 
me, that I should go down there immediately in advance of 
the writ. 

In accordance with this letter I at once made my prep- 
arations to go to Fort Madison. I visited the prisoners 
in their cells and informed them that I should be absent for 


2x8 


T^he Banditti of the Prairies, 


several days, and probably should not see them again. Con- 
sequently, they were fully aware that I should not be pres- 
ent, on the day of their execution. 

Arriving at Fort Madison, I called upon Sheriff Estes, 
who presented writs issued upon the several indictments, 
and I surrendered myself into his custody, proposing, as 
one of the charges was not bailable, that he should commit 
me to the county prison to await my trial. 

After a short pause, the Sheriff said : 

“ Bonney, this is a hard case ! I know the origin of the 
matter, and the character of the witnesses. I have been 
familiar with your whole plan of operation to ferret out the 
gang of robbers, and I will not commit you to prison. No, 
sir! I will assume a Jacksonian responsibility. I never will 
turn key upon you. Go where you please! You know 
what my duty is. If you are in attendance at the next term 
of the court, it is all that is required of me. Go to your 
fhmily, or in pursuit of Fox, or where you please.” 

At my request, Mr. Walker and Mr. Estes wrote to 
Joseph Knox, Esq., of Rock Island, giving him a full state- 
ment of the matter. They informed him that the chief 
witness against me was William A. Heckman^ one of the 
most notorious rascals unhung; a fugitive from justice for 
several larcenies he had committed in the County of Lee, 
and who was smuggled into the Grand Jury room without 
the knowledge of any of the officers of the court. As soon 
as it was disclosed that he had been before the jury, an effort 
was made to have him arrested, but he had suddenly dis- 
appeared. The Grand Jury would never have found the 
indictment, if they had not been deceived. 

In the meantime The day arrived for the execution of 
Young and the two Longs. In accordance with the pre- 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 219 

concerted arrangement of the muraerers with Height, each 
of them in turn addressed the crowd. 

Young and Aaron Long protested their innocence of the 
crime, while John Long, doubtless to make himself the 
hero of the day, confessed his guilt, and exulted in his 
criminal career. He solemnly protested that Aaron Long 
and Young were innocent, and charged me with being 
chief of the gang, and guilty of murder and various other 
crimes, calling upon me by name, expecting, in accordance 
with his arrangement with Height, that the officer would 
come with a writ from the Governor for my arrest. He 
continued his harangue until the time allowed him had 
expired and he was stopped by the Sheriff. His last appeal 
was to his friends for a rescue. He told them he had 
always been true to them, and to his profession, and his 
dying request was, that all who called themselves his 
friends, should “ make a port of entry of Bonney’s heart.” 

So sanguine were his hopes of rescue, or of executive 
interference, that after his cap was drawn over his face, he 
raised it, and looked off in the direction from which he 
expected the approach of the messenger. But, alas for the 
doomed murderer, he looked in vain. An expression of 
singular despair gathered over his countenance, as the cap 
again fell, and shut out to him the bright and beautiful 
world forever. Above him was the clear blue sky of 
October. Around him the broad brown prairie, and the 
woods robed in the gorgeous drapery of their glorious 
autumnal decay. The soft sighing of the wind, the song of 
birds, the low murmur of the great Mississippi, and the 
heavy breathings of the indignant crowd of his fellow 
beings, gathered to witness the fulfilment of the just decree 
of law, were the last sounds that fell upon his ears as he 


220 The Banditti of the Prairies, 

passed away to “that country from whose bourne no 
traveler returns.” 

The drop fell, and the three murderers swung off. John 
Long and Granville Young were at once launched into 
eternity. A moment before they were breathing God’s 
air, strong, healthy, young, full of the bounding blood of 
vigorous life! How narrow the space between life and 
death! Surely the line of separation between them is so 
slight, that there must be some strange affinity, could 
science or philosophy but discover it. The sunbeam hid- 
den by the cloud! The rainbow that melts into ocean! 
The man that goes down into the grave! Whence come 
they? and where do they go? 

The death of the other murderer was accidentally post- 
poned. His rope broke, and he fell to the ground. He 
was immediately reconveyed to the scaffold and while the 
officer was again adjusting the rope, one of the clergymen 
in attendance, addressed him, saying: 

“ You see before you the dead bodies oi your brother and 
Young. They have gone, and you must soon follow. You 
can have no hope of escape! If you are guilty, confess your 
guilt to God ! ” 

Aaron now for the first time acknowledged his participa- 
tion in the murder, giving the lie to all his and John’s 
former statements. In another moment he was suspended 
from the scaffold and his spirit passed to the other world. 

There is something repugnant to our feelings in witness- 
ing violent death, even where the victim is deeply stained 
with crime, and his death demanded and sanctioned by the 
majesty of law. Such a sight leaves a memory behind 
that passes not away forever. 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


221 


John Long was probably one of the most daring villains 
who ever pursued the career of crime. Of his early history 
I know nothing more than the reader may glean from the 
preceding pages. His personal appearance to a casual eye 
was exceedingly inferior, but to those who scanned him 
closely, there was an appearance of wonderful activity in 
his slight but muscular frame, and a bold, determined 
glance in his dark eyes, that commanded attention. He 
might never have been a Claude Duval, for he lacked the 
polish and grace of that most pleasant and accomplished 
highwayman. He was more like the boisterous and resolute 
Dick Turpin, equal to every emergency, and bearing his 
strong heart and high courage even to the gates of death. 

So bold was he in falsehood, even on the scaffold, that he 
had the hardihood to call upon his counsel to sustain him, 
by endorsing his statements, that he had expressed a wish 
to them to plead guilty in order to save Aaron, which was 
a base fabrication, and afterwards indignantly denied by 
them. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


FEW hours before the execution of the Longs and 



jl \ Young, John Long informed a friend of Baxter, that 
when Fox buried the money in the bluff on the Des Moines 
River, he made certain land marks by which he, or his 
friends could find the money, as follows: 

“ At the point where F ox left Birch, to go and bury the 
money, he made the figures 72, on a large black walnut 
tree. Seventy-two yards from this tree in a northeast di- 
rection is a small black walnut tree with a cross cut in the 
bark with a bowie knife ; fourteen yards from this small 
tree, due north, is a large stone; midway between the tree 
and stone is the spot where the money was buried. 

Soon after I returned from Fort Madison, I received this 
information, and immediately started in search of the money. 
I found the marks corresponding with Long’s descriptio:" ; 
the fallen leaves from the forest trees had covered the 
ground obliterating every mark where the earth had been 
removed, but after a close search T. found where the rob- 
bers had deposited their treasure, and found three Ameri- 
can half dollars, and two Spanish quarters, with other 
marks which proved that the money had been dug up and 
removed in the night, doubtless under the direction of Fox, 
after his escape from Johnson, at Indianapolis. 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


223 


After the trials and conviction of the Longs and Young, 
and while the execution was yet pending, a special term of 
the Court was held at Rock Island for the trial of Baxter 
and the two Reddens. 

It would be unnecessary to give the evidence at length 
in the case of Baxter, being a repetition of facts already 
stated in Birch’s confession, and other witnesses on the tria/ 
of the Longs and Y oung, backed up by his own confession tc 
Gregg and Johnson, after his arrest. In substance as fob 
lows: 

Confession of fohn Baxter , — (To Johnson) — “Jo., I want 
to tell you all about this matter.” 

“What matter?” said Johnson; who had not mentioned 
the crime for which he was arrested. 

“ The murder of Davenport.” 

“Is it possible that you are guilty, Baxter?” said Johnson. 

“Yes,” said Baxter, “ I am guilty, biit I never wanted 
old man Davenport killed, I got into the scrape and could 
not help it. I became acquainted with Birch, who gave 
me a description of other members of the gang, when they 
came up to rob Davenport. John Long came to my house 
and enquired for me, but I was absent. When I returned, 
my sister told me that a gentleman had called and enquired 
for me. I knew from her description that it was John 
Long. I went out in search of him, and found John and 
Aaron Long, Fox and Birch, eating their dinner on the 
Bald Bluff, back of Spencer’s, with their pistols and bowies 
out, lying by them. They said they had come to rob Dav- 
enport, and wanted me to do as I agreed, but I desired to 
have no part in the matter. They told me I never should 
go home alive if I did not fulfill my promise to them.” 


224 


The Banditti of the Prairies. 


“John Long was anxious to rob Davenport that same 
night, but I told him he would have to kill the whole 
family. Consequently it was postponed three or four days, 
until the 4th of July, when I knew there would be a public 
dinner at Rock Island Town, and thought that Davenport’s 
family would all be there, and that we could then rob the 
house without hurting any one. I held constant communi- 
cation with them until the morning of the 4th of July, 
when I saw Bailey Davenport and asked him ‘ if all the 
family were going over to the celebration ? ’ He told me 
‘ they were.’ 

“I then went up into the woods above James Copp’s, 
where the boys were secreted, and told them the coast was 
clear, and returned to town. When the news reached 
town that Davenport was murdered, I ran up the slough to 
see if the skiff was there. I found that it was, and then I 
knew the boys were safe. If they had not got away, I 
was going to tell the whole story, and have them taken up. 
I want to know if there is any chance to turn States’ Evi- 
dence? If there is, I want to avail myself of it, and if I 
get out of this scrape I will live and die an honest man.” 

This confession with the other evidence doubly confirmed 
the guilt of Baxter. After the usual arguments of counsel, 
and a brief charge, the jury retired, and. soon returned a 
verdict of guilty^ and the Court proceeded to sentence 
Baxter to be executed on the i8th day of November, 1845. 

In the case of Baxter, a writ of Error to the Supreme 
Court, the judgment reversed and the cause remanded back 
for a new trial. 

The two Reddens were arraigned on an indictment as 
accessory to the murder of Davenport before the fact. A 
strong array of evidence was brought to bear against them, 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


225 


but the jury aisagreed — eleven for conviction of murder, 
and one against it, and the prisoners remanded to jail to await 
another trial, at a subsequent term of Court. 

In February, 1846, another special term of Court was 
held at Rock Island, for the trial of Birch, Baxter and the 
two Reddens. 

Birch obtained a change of venue from Rock Island to 
Knox County. Baxter also took a change of venue to 
Warren County. Both cases were continued until the 
November term, 1846. 

In the case of the two Reddens, the prosecution not being 
able to obtain the witnesses who were present on the for- 
mer trial, the indictment charging them as accessory before 
the fact, was dismissed. 

Wm. H. Redden plead guilty to an indictment charging 
him as accessory after the fact, and was sentenced to the 
State Penitentiary for the period of one year; three 
weeks of the time in solitary confinement. 

Old Grant Redden was released, and made tracks on the 
Mormon trail for the valley of Salt Lake. 

At the November term of the Warren County Court, 
Hon. Norman H. Purple presiding, John Baxter’s case 
came on for trial. 

The same witnesses were brought forwa'^d, and the same 
fact proved, as at the former trial at Rock Island. The 
case occupied the court during two days, where it was sub- 
mitted to the jury, who after a short time returned with a 
verdict of guilty as charged in the indictment. 

The sentence of death pronounced by Judge Purple 
evinced a deep sense of the prisoner’s position, and a full 
and proper sympathy for him. We think it will rot be 
misplaced to give it in full. 


226 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


“John Baxter! A jury of the country nave found you 
guilty of murder — the highest and most aggravated offence 
known to the law. And in your case ingratitude and the 
ties of friendship severed, and confidence betrayed, have 
tinged your guilt with a deeper and darker stain. The 
murdered man had been your friend and patron, you had 
once been an inmate of his family, and but a short period 
of time before his melancholy and tragical end, you had en- 
joyed the hospitality of his house, and under pretence of 
the partiality and attachment of a friend, had warmed and 
wound yourself into his confidence and affections. 

“ The time also which was selected for the consummation 
of your purposes, marks its commission with more than 
ordinary turpitude, you had no cause of hatred or even of 
complaint against the deceased. 

“ Money seems to have been your only incentive, no 
inward, long concealed and ‘pent up’ malignity of heart 
arising from wrongs and injustice inflicted and often re- 
peated, impelled you to the commission of the deed. But 
without any other apparent motive than that of gain, on 
the 4th day of July, a day hallowed and sacred to national 
devotion and festivity, while a whole race of freemen were 
rejoicing in, and rendering thanks to Heaven for the bless- 
ings of a free government, and the fancied security of their 
property and persons, under the benign and salutary in- 
fluence of just laws and ‘ equal rights,’ you and your con- 
federates in crime, invaded the sanctuary of home, and coolly 
and relentlessly' slaughtered an aged and venerable man 
without compunctions or remorse. 

“A just and righteous retribution for blood, thus demands 
the life of the offender, not alone by way of punishment for 
the offence, or expiation of the crime, but also as a salutary 


7 lie Banditti of the Prairies, 227 

warning and example to those who may come after. Re- 
member then, that although the law demands your death^ 
that death is no atonement for your crime, nor does it 
abstract one, either from the overwhelming weight of crime 
and guilt which rests upon your soul. 

“ When the penalties of the law shall have consigned 
you to a premature and untimely death, there is a higher 
power to which you must answer for this act, as well as for 
the conduct of your whole life. Let then the space of time 
allotted you here be spent in deep contrition and repentence. 
Prepare yourself to die! Your time of life is short, and 
much remains to be accomplished. Expect not, hope not, 
for the interference of the executive in your behalf, or that 
chance or accident may aid you to escape from your im- 
pending doom. Such hopes and expectations will be idle 
and visionary, and will only tend to retard the work of 
repentance and reform, which is so indispensible to youi 
future eternal state of being. 

‘‘Your life is forfeited to the laws of your country, ana 
you must die a disgraceful and ignominious death! It wa^ 
not in the power of an impartial jury, or able and zealou/ 
counsel, who have stood up most manfully in your defence,, 
it was not in the power of the court to avert the sentence 
of the law and save you from your impending fate. 
Heaven alone you must address your prayers for mercy and 
forgiveness — as you must die, die penitent and like a Chris- 
tian — and though the forgiveness of the world cannot 
restore you to life, and the endearments of society and 
friends, yet the tear of sympathy will sometimes be shed 
over your early and ignoble doom — and those who have 
known you here may not wholly curse your memory. 


228 The Banditti of the Prairies, 

“ Black and unmittigating as your crime may be, however 
much you may have scoffed and derided the laws of God 
and man, you may, if sincerely penitent and humble, still 
hope for pardon and salvation, through the renovating 
power and stainless purity of the Redeemer’s Blood. 
To that beneficient power and mercy, with the deepest 
emotions of pity and compassion, I commend you to your 
eternal destiny. 

“ The sentence of the law, and the sentence of the court 
is, that you be taken from this place to the jail of the County 
of Warren, from thence to the place of execution, and that 
on Wednesday, the ninth day of December next, between 
the hours of one and four o’clock P. M. of said day, you be 
there hanged by the neck until you are dead, and may God 
Almighty save your soul.” 

The next week after the trial and condemnation of 
Baxter, Birch’s case came on, in Knox County. He made 
affidavit for a continuance until the June term, 1847, 
tained by a further affidavit by his attorney, Onslow Peters, 
Esq., of Peoria, Illinois. The continuance was granted. I 
had an interview with the Sheriff of Knox County, in 
whose custody Birch was held, and gave him an outline of 
the desperate character of the man in his charge, assuring 
him that the utmost vigilence was requisite to keep him safe 
until the next term of the court. 

Through the exertions of his counsel, Lieut. Governor J. 
B. Wells, Baxter obtained a writ of Error to the Supreme 
Court, which after hearing the arguments of counsel upon 
the several assignments of error, confirmed the judgment 
of the court below. 

Baxter’s attorney, his other friends and relatives, how-, 
ever, procured from the Legislature of Illinois^ a commuta» 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 229 

tion of his sentence, to that of imprisonment in the Peni- 
tentiary for life, where he is now confined. 

Birch remained in jail at Knoxville, Illinois, until the 22d 
of March, 1847, when he broke jail, made his escape and is 
yet at large. 

Thus terminated the trials and disposition of the ten 
members of the Banditti, that were arrested for the murder 
of Miller, Liecy, and Col. Davenport. 


15 


CHAPTER XIX. 


I T is due to the public^ to my friends, ana to yourself, 
that the facts relative to the conspiracy formed against 
me through the influence of Haight, supported by the false 
testimony of members of the Banditti, should be briefly 
stated. 

As soon as the several indictments at Fort Madison were 
procured, a desperate effort was made to give publicity to 
my arrest, accompanied by all the base slanders and false- 
hoods which the gang were capable of inventing. 

Many of the public journals of the day gave admission 
into their columns of articles against me of the most slander- 
ous nature. After the several trials were over, at the fall 
term of the Rock Island Circuit Court, and I had slightly 
recovered from the effects of a six month’s cruise against the 
Banditti, which was crowned with unparalleled success, I 
had prepared myself to attempt the re-capture of Fox. 
The gang aware, or suspecting my intentions, made one 
more effort to destroy me, and save their friends. 

The fall terms of court having closed in the several coun- 
ties the only Grand Jury in session was at the United States 
Circuit Court for the District of Illinois, held at Springfield, 
The gang, therefore, headed by the same notorious Haight, 
brought their efforts to bear at that point. 


ihe Banditti of the Prairies, 

Upon the testimony of A. B. Williams, sustained by 
others of the gang, a bill was found against me in Decem- 
ber, 1845, charging me with counterfeiting the current coin 
of the United States. 

At this time I was on my way to Springfield, intending 
to proceed from thence south, in pursuit of Fox. At Rush- 
ville I met with the Hon. T. J. Turner, on his return from 
Springfield, who informed me that the gang had succeed in 
getting me indicted, at that place; and had also succeeded 
to some extent in prejudicing public opinion against me — 
advising me not to go to Springfield under the present ex- 
citement. I determined, however, to turn neither to the 
right nor left to shun the villains, but to go to Springfield 
and meet them on their own ground. 

Upon expressing my decision to that effect, Mr. Turner 
voluntarily tendered his valuable services in my behalf, 
agreeing to accompany me and render me such legal or 
other assistance as I might desire. 

On arriving at Springfield, I called upon Governor Ford, 
who being anxious for the re-capture of Fox, advised me 
to leave at once in his pursuit, and let the present indict- 
ments lie for further consideration. This advice with due 
deference to his Excellency, I declined; fearing that it might 
be construed into an intention to avoid the process. 

I therefore requested the Governor to give, me an intro- 
duction to the United States Marshal, who, in discharge of 
his official duty, forthwith took me into custody. - 

My next effort was to get a continuance, give bail, and 
leave in pursuit of Fox. Gov. Ford, Mr. Turner, and Mr. 
Calhoun, Clerk of the Sagamon Circuit Court, voluntarily 
offered their names as bail. 


2^2 The Banditti o-^ the Prairies, 

I learned, however, that the villains had succeeded by 
their falsehoods and perjury, in arousing a powerful pre- 
judice against me in the public mind. Among other things, 
I was charged by them of having sworn away the lives of 
innocent men, (the Longs and Young,) and they alleged 
that the community of Rock Island had become so indig- 
nant against me, that I had been driven from the country 
and dared not return. 

Justice to myself, therefore, required me to remain in 
custody, and send a messenger to Rock Island to procure 
evidence of the true statements of the people of that county, 
who were familiar with my whole course, and the origin of 
the charges brought against me. 

Mr. Turner voluntarily performed the journey, two hun- 
dred and forty miles, free of charge. 

Had I not already swollen this volume beyond what I 
anticipated, it would give me unfeigned pleasure to publish 
the letters received by me, on the returns of mail after Mr. 
Turner’s arrival at Rock Island. They were filled, not 
only with offers of money and names by the dozen, but 
there was also a warm hearted, generous, whole-souled feel- 
ing displayed in the communications of Dr. Gregg and Mr. 
Joseph Knox, which touched me deeply. The dungeon 
grew light, and its dark walls seemed to expand almost to 
the beauty and brightness of a palace as I read them. Let 
me here publicly record my thanks to them, not the less 
sincerely that I feel it was no more than my due. 

Mr. Turner returned to Springfield on the evening of the 
8th of January, 1846, with a penal bond in the sum of two 
thousand dollars, signed by a round dozen of the best citi- 
zens of Rock Island, which he hastened to file in the 
District Clerk’s office. He thence repaired to the jail 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


233 


wliere he found me stretched at full length upon a floor of 
solid timber, wrapped in sweet repose. Truly, a clear con- 
science can make a bed of thorns “ as soft as downy pillows 
are.” 

I accompanied Mr. Turner from the jail to the American 
Hotel, where we partook of a sumptuous repast, there being 
a great ball in commemoration of the battle of New 
Orleans. 

What a contrast? There the dark and dreary dungeon, 
where nought but the harsh grating of the iron door as it 
turns slowly upon its hinges greets the ear of the inmates, 
as time wears slowly away, each day seeming a little 
eternity. 

Here all the talent, wit, and beauty mingling together, in 
high glee — the eye dazzled with the display of diamonds 
and jewels that ornamented the rich apparel of the wealthy 
and fashionable — and time flies swiftly away, as the gay 
revellers tripped happily through the intricate mazes of the 
dance, to the soft wooing of the lute and harp; and as the 
dawn began to appear, tinging the Eastern horizon with 
the clear light of a bright winter’s morning, the music died 
away upon the wrapped ear of the listener, and the com- 
pany separated. 

I could fully af predate the contrast! having been in 
close confinement from the 25th of December — two weeks. 

The following day I addressed a letter to my friends at 
Rock Island, in which I endeavored to express my full 
sense of gratitude to them. 

While I was detained at Springfield the gang was fully 
apprised of my intention to go in pursuit of Fox, of which 
they doubtless informed him. I determined, however, to 
make a tour in pursuit of him, notwithstanding it was the 


234 The Banditti of the Prairies, 

express wish of my friends at Rock Island that I should 
abandon the pursuit and return home. This would look a 
little too much like backing out, and as I considered F ox the 
most expert and daring of the gang then at large, I was 
peculiarly anxious to have him arrested. 

I accordingly started for Indianapolis and Centreville, 
reaching the latter place, my old field of operations, in four 
days from Springfield. 

Sheriff* Gentry informed me that nothing had been heard 
from Fox since his escape, but that it was the general 
opinion of the people that he was lurking in the neighbor- 
hood of his father’s. 

F rom Centreville I proceeded to Ohio, and after diligent 
search ascertained that Fox had crossed the Ohio River and 
gone South. I felt compelled, much to my regret, to 
abandon the track of Fox, and return to Rock Island. 

On my return to Rock Island, I was shown a letter to 
Judge Brown, who presided at the trials of the murderers, 
the language of which is to profane to give to the public. 
But as it portrays the character and depraved morals of the 
desperado, and from one of the leaders of the “ Banditti of 
the Prairies,” and being desirous of giving to the reader a 
true sketch., I give it verbatim, leaving the reader to judge 
of the character of its author and his friends, the Longs and 
Young; 

“ To THE Honorable Judge; 

“ If I should use the word honor in connection with a 

name that is as black in the eyes of the world as the d 1 

himself. You d d old stack of carron. I find in look- 

ing over the news, that you have passed sentence on two 
innocent men, Aaron Long and Granville Young; and J 


T'he Banditti of the Prairies, 


235 


cannot say that folin Long was guilty of the crime for 
which he was hung. True, he was in the crew who killed 
Dav'^enport; yet, he did not kill him. I am the man who 
shot Davenport, and beware, sir! since things have gone as 

they have. I’ll be d d if you^ don’t share the same fate 

of the Colonel, The pistol that closed the scene with him, 
will have the honor of conveying a bullet through your 
infernal, old, empty skull. Ton cut a figure on a judge’s 

seat, fust take that seat again^ and I may be d d if it 

won’t be the last seat you ever take. 1 carry a six-barrel 
revolver next my heart, and I carry her henceforth for your 
special benefit — together with the h — 1 bound jury. You 
may inform the gentlemen, for well I know them; and if 
their blood don’t atone for the execution of my friends — the 

Longs and Young — may I bed d. So, lookout; for, 

by the time this letter reaches you, I will be close behind. 

“ I am commander of a company which will, for one blast 
from my bugle, be at my side; they are true to their cause, 
and never pull a trigger but what she counts. And this 
man, Bonney^ will come up missing when least expected. 
I knew where the chap was on the * 29 th of October; he 
knew it best to be absent on that day; and well the pup 
knows me, that intimately^ too. You can inform him that 
he will see me again, and only once more; then I am in- 
clined to think his eye-sight will fail forever. 

“ And now to the citizens of Rock Island : 

‘Your rights can never be protected while such a judge 
is permitted to sit upon the bench ; but I shall soon put you 
to the trouble of selecting another one.” 


*Note.— 29th of October was the day th^ Longs and Young were executed. 


236 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 


This letter was post-marked at Columbia, Adair County, 
Kentucky, which corresponded with the last track I had of 
Fox, and was undoubtedly intended to be taken as from 
Fox, although it was not in his hand-writing. 

Birch identified it as the production of Hiram Long, a 
son of Old Mother Long, whom I met with in the forest 
near the old woman’s residence ; doubtless he and F ox were 
traveling together at the time. 

The object of the letter seems to have been to intimidate 
the court and citizens of Rock Island, and thus favor the 
prisoners, Birch, Baxter, and the two Reddens, who were 
yet in jail at that place, and to back up the scaffold state- 
ments of John Long. There is a doubt, however, from the 
evidence and all the circumstances connected with the case 
that John Long was the person who shot Davenport. If 
more evidence was necessary to prove that Aaron Long 
and Granville Young were members of the regularly 
organized Banditti, this letter itself would be sufficient. As 
for John Long, he had openly boasted of being a robber 
by profession, stating that he had broken through and 
escaped from eleven different jails, and had never before 
been brought before a court for trial. 

As may be supposed, this letter excited only feelings of 
contempt, and no one was cowardly or weak-minded enough 
to attach any importance to its threats or statements. 

My return to Rock Island in the month of February, 
1846, was the closing campaign against the Banditti of the 
Prairies, and now prepared to meet their false charges, and 
defend myself against the five indictments pending against 
me. 

In the month of April, the Lee County District Court 
came on. Although my health was such that it was hardly 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 


ni 


safe for me to leave my house, I took the steamboat from 
Rock Island to Fort Madison, for the purpose of meeting 
the charges brought against me in the four indictments at 
that place. No witnesses, however, were present at the 
term of the court, to sustain the charges. The gang were 
too well aware of the feeling of the people, and dared not 
come forward. 

The prosecuting attorney continued the cases until the 
October term, on the assurance from Haight that he would 
then have plenty of witnesses to support the allegations 
against me. I could not help myself, and was forced to 
submit to a continuance, and give the villains six months 
longer to endeavor to prejudice public opinion against me, 
and manufacture evidence to sustain their false charges. 

A severe illness followed my return to Rock Island, and 
I was unable to meet my accusers at the June term of the 
United States Circuit Court, at Springfield, Illinois. Con- 
sequently the case was continued until the December term, 
1846. 

In October, I again attended court at Fort Madison. 
The gang having discovered that their schemes were well 
understood by the community, dared not attempt to bring 
forward witnesses, and the several cases were abandoned, 
and the indictments by order of court dismissed. 

One indictment was still pending against me, at Spring- 
field. I learned that the gang were making a desperate 
effort. My time for several months was occupied in travel- 
ing through the country, gathering here and there an item, 
relative to the movements of the gang in the case pending ; 
to enable me to meet and successfully defend myself against 
them; not knowing who their witnesses were, or what 
they would swear, I had no other alternative than to con- 


238 The Banditti of the Prairies* 

demn them out of their own mouths. Among other items, 
Haight stated at St. Louis, that he would send me to Hell^ 
or the Gallows^ if swearing would do it; that he had good 
backers, and a little money would buy all the evidence he 
wanted. This and other like threats were constantly thrown 
out by members of the gang and their friends. 

The case came on for trial on the 29th day of December 
1846. The gang rallied in considerable force, ready tc 
swear to anything their leaders might require of them, and 
determined at all events to swear me into the State prison, 
as their last and only hope of revenge. 

The prosecution was conducted by the Hon. D. L. Gregg, 
United States District Attorney, assisted by a Mr. Kinney 
of Iowa. The attorneys for the defence were Messrs. 
Logan and Lambern of Springfield, Joseph Knox, Esq., of 
Rock Island, and Judge J. B. Thomas, of Chicago. 

The charge of making counterfeit money was fully 
sworn to by Dr. A. B. Williams, (upon whose testimony 
the bill had been found by the grand jury,) and in part sus- 
tained by the notorious Haight, and some others of the 
gang from Iowa. 

The jury, however, were so well satisfied that it was a 
conspiracy got up against me by Haight and Williams, and 
sustained by downright perjury, that ten of them wished to 
discharge me without leaving their seats. The two others 
desired some instructions from the court before rendering 
their verdict. 

But two of my counsel made speeches in defence, Messrs. 
Knox and Logan. They literally flayed Haight and Will- 
iams alive. If they failed to satisfy those two individuals 
that they were confessed perjured, black-hearted villains, 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


239 

tney certainly proved it most conclusively to the jury and 
audience. 

The trial took a wide range. The murder of Col. Dav- 
enport, the execution of the Longs and Young, and the 
ways and means used by myself to detect the villains were 
all laid before the jury. It was well that all this was 
admitted, for it gave a true history of matters for which the 
people of Rock Island had been much slandered. I do not 
think there was a dozen persons present at the court, who 
were not fully convinced that Haight and Williams sought 
my destruction, because I had been instrumental in bring- 
ing to justice their confederates in crime. 

I was certainly most ably defended. No man should 
attempt to commit perjury, if such lawyers as Logan, Lau- 
burn, Knox and Thomas are to follow on his trail — they 
are second to no lawyers in the State. 

A good deal of anxiety was manifested to hear Knox. 
He had never before spoken at Springfield as a lawyer. 
He made a very able and elegant speech. He knew and 
felt that he was defending a man innocent of the crime for 
the commission of which he stood charged. Further than 
that, he felt that to a certain extent he was defending the 
people of his own country, (Rock Island,) from the slander 
which had been heaped upon them. 

The moment of my acquittal from the charge, and entire 
freedom from the trammels which the gang had tried to 
throw around me, was entirely a pleasant one. I had never 
doubted the result, but I had been worn out and vexed by 
my long continued struggle with them, and was glad to be 
at peace once more. 

Ten of the jurors signed an address to the Hon. R. J. 
Walker, Secretary of Treasury, respectfully stating that the 


240 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


facts developed in the trial proved that Haight, who was 
sa*id to be a confidential agent of the treasury department, 
was unworthy of such employment, both on account of his 
inefficiency y unfaithfulness and dishonesty. 

The address specified various instances of criminal prac- 
tice, and Governor Ford appended his certificate in support 
of the charges. 

At the request of many friends I give here a copy, verba- 
tim, of the communication referred to with the annexed 
certificate of Gov. F ord, hoping it will prove interesting to 
the readers of this brief narrative. 

To THE Hon. R. J. Walker; 

Secretary of the Treasury — Sir: 

The undersigned jurors sworn and empannelled for the 
trial of Edward Bonney, at the present term of the U. 
S. Circuit Court, for the District of Illinois, on an indict- 
ment against him for counterfeiting, deem it our imperative 
duty respectfully to state that facts were developed during 
the progress of said trial, riveting conviction on our minds 
that one Silas Haight, examined before us as a witness on 
said trial, and said to be a confidential agent of the treasury 
department for the detection and punishment of counter- 
feiters, is unworthy of such employment. 

Impelled by this conviction, we, therefore, charge that 
the said Haight is an unfit depository of the confidence of 
the government, in the important matters confided to his 
control and management: 

1 st. Because of his inefficiency. 

3nd. Because of his unfaithfulness and dishonesty. 

And in support of the first charge, it appeared from the 
showing of the said Haight, himself, on oath, that he has 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


241 


never, as yet, in this section of our country since his ap- 
pointment, been instrumental in bringing any offender 
against the laws of the country to justice, although fre- 
quently in possession of the requisite proof for doing so: 

1st. In the case of one Caldwell in St. Louis, and State 
of Missouri; Haight swore that he knew him to be a noto- 
rious counterfeiter, and at one time while he (Haight) was 
in the employment of the Government, obtained through 
the hands of him (the said Caldwell) possession of $25,000 
or $30,000 of counterfeit money in St. Louis, but took no 
steps for his arrest or punishment, with this evidence of his 
guilt upon him. 

2nd. It further appeared to our satisfaction, that the said 
Haight has long known of the guilt of one A. B. Williams, 
hereinafter particularly named, in the matter of counterfeit- 
ing, but suffered him to go unpunished and unprosecuted 
for a long time; and when the said Williams was at length 
indicted, had the prosecutions against him unlawfully and 
dishonestly dismissed. 

In support of our second charge we say that we are 
satisfied that the said Haight has used the power confided 
to him by the Government, more for the purpose of defeat- 
ing than of effecting the ends of justice; that the circum- 
stances connected with the only prosecutions ever set on 
foot by him, the time of their commencement, the manner 
of conducting them, and the disposition made of them, all 
tend to show that such was the fact. 

1st. It appears from Haight’s own statements that no 
steps were ever taken by him for the prosecution of Bonney 
on the charge of counterfeiting, until after he (Bonney) had 
been actively and successfully engaged in ferreting out 
crimfe, and bringing its perpetrators to deserved punish- 


242 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 


merit, and when his services in that respect were still im- 
peratively needed. That when indictments were first found 
against said Bonney, at the instance of said Haight, the 
Hodges (two Mormon Elders) had been detected, convicted 
and hanged at Burlington, Iowa, through the exertions of 
said Bonney, for the murder of the German family in Lee 
County, Iowa; and that when said indictments were found, 
the murderers of Col. Davenport of Rock Island, Illinois, 
having been tracked and apprehended by the exertions of 
the said Bonney, and three of them tried and convicted; 
three of the others were awaiting their trial at Rock Island, 
while one of them who had been arrested had escaped and 
was at large. 

2nd. That the said Haight had frequent interviews with 
the said murderers in prison, and afterwards John Long, 
one of the said murderers, denounced the said Bonney as 
guilty of the murder for which the Hodges suffered death, 
as above stated, and of counterfeiting, and referred to A. B. 
Williams, heretofore named, as a person by whom such 
charges against the said Bonney could be proved. 

3d. That at the October term, 1845, of the District Court 
of Lee County, Iowa Territory, the said Haight did pro- 
cure four several bills of indictment, to be found in said 
court, against the said Bonney ; one for the same murder 
for which the Hodges had been punished, as hereinbefore 
stated, and the residue for counterfeiting. 

4th. That for the purpose of procuring the finding of 
said indictments, the said Haight had one Hickman, a noto- 
rious scoundrel and refugee from justice, taken clandestinely 
and secretly before the Grand Jury, and brought back 
again into the State of Illinois, when there were writs in 


The Bandiiti of the Prairies, ^43 

the hands of the Sheriff of said County of Lee for the 
arrest of said Hickman on criminal charges. 

5th. That when the said indictments were found, the said 
Haight directed the Sheriff of the said County of Lee to 
take the writs to be issued on them, proceed at once to 
Rock Island County, in the State of Illinois, (the residence 
of said Bonney,) and arrest him on them. And one of said 
indictments being for an offence not bailable by law, to 
imprison him on it in the cells of the dungeon. 

6th. That said Bonney voluntarily surrendered himself 
into the custody of said Sheriff on said charges, at the same 
time requesting that a special term of court for their trial 
might be held, and this not being done, the said Bonney 
being out on bail afterwards attended at two regular terms 
of said court, for trial on said indictments, when they were 
at length dismissed for want of evidence to sustain the 
charges in said indictments. 

7th. That while the aforesaid indictments were still pend- 
ing, the said Bonney had taken steps, through the assistance 
of the Governor of this State, to arrest the second time the 
notorious Fox, the guiltiest of the blood-stained murderers 
of Col. Davenport, the said Haight procured one other in- 
dictment to be found against the said Bonney, in the U. S 
Circuit Court, and him to be arrested and thrown into 
prison at this place, thus effectually preventing the prosecu- 
tion of the laudable intentions of said Bonney. 

8th. That the main agent used by the said Haight in get- 
ting up said last mentioned indictment, was the A. B. 
Williams to whom reference has hereinbefore been made, 
and than whom, in our estimation, a greater villain, in pro- 
portion to his capacity, goes not unhung. 


^44 


The Banditti of the Prairies 


9th. That the terms on which the said Haight procured 
the co-operation of the said Williams in the finding and 
prosecuting of said last mentioned indictment was, that 
the indictments pending in Iowa against the said Williams 
for counterfeiting should be dismissed, and that the said 
Haight would use his infiuence to save said Williams from 
prosecution or punishment thereon. 

loth. That said prosecutions against the said Williams 
accordingly were dismissed, and the said Williams, after 
having repeatedly said and sworn that he knew nothing 
against the said Bonney as to counterfeiting, once in the 
presence of the said Haight did appear before the Grand 
Jury and afterwards before the undersigned petit jurors, for 
the trial of said indictment against said Bonney, (as herein- 
before stated,) and testified that he knew the said Bonney 
to be guilty of the crime of counterfeiting as charged in 
said indictment, and he was the witness who so testified. 

nth. That said Williams, as appears by his own state- 
ments, has been long accessory to the making and circula- 
ting of counterfeit money, and guilty of secreting a press, 
made and used for the purpose of counterfeiting, in his own 
house, at Nauvoo; and of harboring and associating with 
thieves and counterfeiters, and aiding them by false state- 
ments to escape from the grasp of justice; while from the 
evidence of others, we were satisfied of the said Williams’ 
commission of the most heinous crimes, perjury and coun- 
terfeiting among others, and that so far as any moral re- 
straint is concerned, he would not halt in the commission of 
any crime. 

12th. That in our estimation, the said Haight cannot 
have been ignorant of either the character or crimes of the 
said Williams, and yet, has not only never brought him to 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 245 

justice, but, on the other hand, as already shown, has aided 
him in evading and escaping its just demands upon him. 

Vouching for the truth of the foregoing statements, and 
fully impressed with the correctness of the charges based 
upon them, we therefore respectfully recommend the re- 
moval of the said Silas Haight from the position of con- 
fidential agent of the Treasury Department, if his services 
in that capacity have not already been dispensed with 
We are, very respectfully. 

Your ob’t. servants, 

Wm. Prentis, Geo. W. Clinkenbeard, 

S. F. McCrillis, C. Francis, 

Robert M. Patterson, John Van Horn, 

S. P. Shope, Robert Worthen, 

J. M. Warren, Michael Kennedy. 


GOVERNOR FORD’S CERTIFICATE. 

I, Thomas Ford, late Governor of Illinois, do certify 
that I was present during the whole trial of Edward Bon- 
ney for counterfeiting, at the December term, 1846, of the 
U. S. Circuit Court, for the District of Illinois, and heard 
all the evidence, and I fully concur in the truth of the above 
statements of the jurors in the case. * And I was fully per- 
suaded from the evidence adduced, that the prosecution 
was put on foot, so far as Haight and the other witnesses 
against Bonney were concerned, to be revenged on him for 
ferreting out and bringing to punishment the murderers of 
Col. Davenport. And for the further object of stopping 
Bonney from pursuing the residue of said murderers, then 
and yet at large. THOMAS FORD' 

Jan. 6th, 1S47. 


2^6 


The Banditti of the Prairies* 


CONCLUDING REMARKS. 

I have at length brought my narrative to a close. My 
principal reason in giving it to the world will be evident to 
all — that is, to place before the public a true statement of 
matters which have been much misrepresented and misun- 
derstood. Any defence of myself which may appear in 
these pages, I am proud to say was not needed among the 
community in which I reside. By them, my conduct has 
always been understood, and my motives fully appreciated, 
but in other portions of the States of the Northwest, this 
simple narrative of facts may seem to enlighten error, and 
disarm prejudice. I commend the book to the attention of 
the reading community, not for any brilliancy in style, or 
beauty in sentiment, but simply as a record of true events, 
occurring in our own day, and in our own midst. I have 
not sought to make myself the hero of a story, and I claim 
no credit for my successful crusade against the band of 
robbers and murderers, except that of having done my duty 
to community. In looking back over the transactions con- 
nected with the pursuit and capture of these men, I can 
recall no one act which I regret, for I believe that circum- 
stances justified the deceit which I adopted to accomplish 
their detection. Moralists and enthusiasts may plant them- 
selves upon the position that deceit is never justifiable. In 
the spirit of a lower but far more practical philosophy, I 
can only point to the result, and venture to assert my own 
belief that the end justifies the means. I felt compelled to 
meet the gang with their own weapons, and had I followed 
the stern tenets of a high morality, the scaffold and jail 
would have been without their just appendages. “ Verily! 


The Banditti of the Prairies, 247 

the children of the world are wiser in their day and gener- 
ation than the children of light.” 

So far as my narrative alludes to life in the West, I 
believe that it presents true and faithful pictures, confined it 
is true, generally, to a class^ of the community whose char- 
acters develope only the worst aspect of human nature. 
Such delineations, however, cannot but have their interest 
even to the fair and gentle reader who may chance to peruse 
these pages — a fearful and abhorrent interest it is true, but 
no less absorbing than the fanciful crimes which fill the 
pages of poetry and romance, adorned though they may be 
by the master, skill of genius. 

Could I have drawn upon the imagination it would have 
given me pleasure to consign to their just punishment all 
the base and cowardly murderers of the venerable Daven- 
port. Although the man who did the deed perished on the 
scaffold, the master spirit, he who planned and controlled 
and guided in the whole transaction, escaped through the 
basest treachery and villainy. Yet who shall say that the 
pangs of remorse, and the fearful shadows of his darkened 
life forever clustering around his heart, the ghost of his 
murdered victim rising before him, when he lies down to 
sleep and when he awakes, may not be inflicting upon him 
a continual punishment, more fearful to bear than the dark- 
ness of the dungeon, or the terrors of the scaffold? His 
end is sure! Sooner or later his sun will set in blood. 
U nder other names, and in remote regions of our country. 
Fox and Birch are doubtless still pursuing their career of 
crime; but the arm of the law or the vengeance of heaven 
will overtake them at last. 

I would, also, if I had brought imagination to my aid, 
have endeavored to add more interest to my several charac- 


248 


The Banditti of the Prairies^ 


ters, by embellishing them with some fancied attributes, 
which would have made their villainy more splendid and 
attractive; one should have had the graceful rascality of a 
Paul Clifford, another the daring address of a Robert Ma- 
cue, and another the deadly brutality of a Black Beard. I 
would have endeavored to have thrown the charm of some 
manly qualities around my precious rascals, but as it is, I 
give you “ a plain, unvarnished tale” — a record of unmit- 
tigated vice, and cowardly crime. 

The result of the trial and punishment of the murderers 
of Davenport, has been to completely rout and disperse the 
gang from the North and Western part of the State of 
Illinois, and from Iowa, their former theatre of operations, 
to which I trust they will never return. 

And now, reader, gentle or ungentle, farewell! We shall 
never meet again upon the literary field. This is my first 
and last book. It is not without its moral; I pray you, 
find it 


THS BND. 


OXFORD AND HOMEWOOD SERIES 

tXTRA CLOTH, GOLD TITLES. ORNAMENTAL SIDE 
AND BACK STAMP, GILT TOPS. 12 MO IN SIZE 


Price, 36 Cents Each 


ComprI&Ino titles of standard works, embracing Fiction, Essags, Historg, Travel, 
Poetrg, etc. Selected^ from the world's best literature and written bg authors 
of World-Wide reputation. Printed from new plates and large tgpe on extra fine 
white laid paper. AH complete editions, and bound in extra cloth for librarg use. 


1. Abb6 Constantin 

2. Adam Bede 

5. Adventures of a Brownie 

’i. ^sop s Fables 

8. All Aboard * 

9. Allan Quatermain 

10. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. . . 

11. American Siberia, The. 

12. American Wit and Humor 

14. Andersen’s Fairy Tales 

16. Angeline 

18. Arabian Nights’ Entertainments 

20. Attic Philosopher in Paris, An 

21. Aurette 

24. Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin 

25. Autocrat of the Breakfast Table 

26. Aunt Martha’s Corner Cupboard 

29. Back to the Old Home 

31. Bacon’s Essays 

37. Bag of Diamonds 

38. Baled Hay 

'39. Banditti of the Prairies 

40. Barrack Room Ballads 

41. Bay Path 

42. Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush 

45. Betsey Jane 

46. Beulah j 

47. Black Beauty 

49. Black Rock 

54. Boat Club 

55. Biglow Papers 

56. Book of Golden Deeds 

57. Boomerang, The 

58. Blithedale Romance 

59. Bracebridge Hall 

61. Brooks’ Addresses 

62. Browning’s Poems. 

64. Burns’ Poems 

66. Called Back 

69. Cardinal Sin 

72. Charlotte Temple 

53. Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage 

75. Child’s History of England 

76. Chimes and Christmas Carol 

81. Christian Living 

83. Christian Year, The 

84. Clemenceau Case 

85 Courtship of Miles Standish, The 

86. Cousin Maude 

87. Cranford 

91. Cricket on the Hearth 

92. Crime of Philip Guthrie, The 

9^^* Crown of Wild Olives 

94. Captain of the Pole Star 

96. Daily Food for Christians 

99. Departmental Ditties 


Ludovic Hal6vy 

George Eliot 

Miss Mulock 

.iEsop 

Oliver Optic 

H. Rider Haggard 

Lewis Carroll 

J. C. Powell 

..Peck, Nye, and M. Quad 
Hans Christian Andersen 
J. N. Percival 


Emile Souvestre 
..Henry Greville 


.. .Oliver Wendell Holmes 
Mary and Elizabeth Kirby 

Mary Cecil Hay 

Sir Francis Bacon 

G. Manville Fenn 

Bill Nye 

Edward Bonney 

Rudyard Kipling 

J. G. Holland 

A. T. Brown 

Augusta J. Evans 

Anna Sewall 

Ralph Connor 

Oliver Optic 

James Russell Lowell 

Charlotte M. Yonge 

Bill Nye 

Nathaniel Hawthorne 

Washington Irving 

Phillips Brooks 

Robert Browning 

Robert Burns 

Hugh Conway 

Eugene Sue 

Susannah Rowson 

Lord Byron 

Charles Dickens 

Charles Dickens 

F. B. Meyer 

. . . John Keble 

Alexandre Dumas 

Henry W. Longfellow 

Mary Jane Holmes 

Mrs. GasKell 

Charles Dickens 

Lulu Ragsdale 

John Ruskin 

A. Conan Doyle 


Rudyard Kipling 


m 

103 

104 . 

106 . 

107 . 

108 . 
no. 
112 . 

114 . 

115 . 

116 . 
118 . 

119 . 

120 . 
*121. 

122 . 

123 . 

m. 

127 . 

128 . 

131 . 

132 . 

134 . 

135 . 
137 . 
189 . 

140 . 

141 . 
143 . 
145 . 

147 . 

148 . 
151 . 
153 . 

158 . 

159 . 
161 . 
162 . 
163 . 
165 . 
167 . 
169 . 
171 . 

173 . 

174 . 

176 . 

177 . 

178 . 

179 . 

180 . 
181 . 
182 . 

183 . 

184 . 

185 . 

186 . 

191 

192 
194 . 
196 . 
19a 
199 . 
201 
202 

203 . 

204 . 
205 
207 . 


OXFORD AND HOMEWOOD SERIES— Cootioued 

Deersla3'er James Penimore Cooper 

Divorced Madeline Vinton Dahlgren 

Dodo E. P. Benson 

Dog Crusoe and His Master R. M. Ballantyne 

Dog of Flanders, A ...Ouida 

Dolly Dialogues Anthony Hope 

Dora Deane Mary J. Holmes 

Dream Life (Ik Marvel) Donald G. Mitchell 

Drummond’s Addresses Henry Drummond 

Duchess (The Duchess) Mrs. Hungerford 

Elizabeth and Her German Garden 

Emerson’s Essays Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Emerson’s Poems Ralph Waldo Emerson 

English Woman’s Love Letters, An 

English Orphans Mary Jane Holmes 

Essays of Elia Charles Lamb 

Esther Waters George Moore 

Ethics of the Dust John Ruskin 

Evangeline Henry W. Longfellow 

Evil Eve, The Theophile Gauthier 

Fatal Love Ramiriz Arias 

Fairyland of Science Arabella Buckley 

Favorite Poems Elmo 

Flower Fables Louisa M. Alcott 

Fifteen Decisiv’e Battles Sir Edward Shepherd Creasy 

First Violin Jessie Fothergill 

Forging the Fetters Mrs. Alexander 

Frankenstein Mary Shelley 

Garden of Verses, Child’s Robert Louis Stevenson 

Gold Dust Charlotte M. Yonge 

Grandfather’s Chair Nathaniel Hawthorne 

Green Dragon, At the Beatrice Harraden 

Gulliver’s Travels Dean Swift 

Heir of Lynne Robert Buchanan 

Her Shattered Idol Belle V. Logan 

Heroes and Hero Worship Thomas Carlyle 

Hiawatha Henry W. Longfellow 

Holmes’ Poems Oliver Wendell Holmes 

Homestead on the Hillside Mary Jane Holmes 

House of Seven Gables Nathaniel Hawthorne 

House of the Wolf Stanley J. Weyman 

How It Came About Maja Spencer 

Hypatia Charles Kingsley 

Ideala .Sarah Grand 

Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow Jerome K. Jerome 

Idylls of the King Alfred Tennyson 

Imitation of Christ Thomas k Kempis 

In Chase of Crinie Du Boisgobey 

In Memoriam Alfred Tennyson 

In the Rockies W. H. G. Kingston 

Inez Augusta J. Evans 

Ishmael, or In the Depths Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth 

Ivanhoe Sir Walter Scott 

John Halifax Miss Mulock 

Kept for the Master’s Use Francis Ridley Havergal 

Kidnapped Robert Louis Stevenson 

King of the Golden River John Ruskin 

Knickerbocker’s History of New York Washington Irving 

L’Americaine Jules Claretie 

Laddie and Miss Toosey’s Mission Author of Zoe 

Lady Grace Mrs. Henry Wood 

Lady of the Lake Sir Walter Scott 

Lalla Rookh Thomas Moore 

Lamplighter Maria S. Cummins 

Last Days of Pompeii C. Bulwer-Lytton 

Last of the Mohicans J. Fenimore Cooper 

La Veuve Octave Feuillet 

Let Us Follow Him Henry Sienkiewicz 


208 . 

209 . 

210 . 
212 . 

214 . 

215 . 

216 . 
219 . 

223 . 

224 . 

225 . 

226 . 
227 . 
229 . 
231 . 

234 . 

235 . 

236 . 

237 . 
239 . 
241 . 

243 . 

244 . 

245 . 
SM8. 

249 . 

250 . 

251 . 

252 . 

253 . 

254 . 

255 . 

256 . 

257 . 

258 . 

259 . 
261 . 
263 . 

265 . 

266 . 
267 
268 . 

269 . 

270 . 

272 . 

273 . 
275 . 
279 . 
281 . 
282 . 

283 . 

284 . 

285 . 

286 . 

287 . 

288 . 

289 . 

290 . 

291 . .. 

292 . ' 

293 . 
294 

295 . 

296 . 

297 . 

298 . 

299 . 
801 . 


OXFORD AND HOMEWOOD SERIES— Continued 


Lena Rivers 

Light of Asia 

Light That Failed 

Little Queen of Tragedy, A 

Lime Kiln Club 

Little Lame Prince 

Locksley Hall and Other Poems 

Longfellow’s Poems 

Lorna Doone 

Love and Tears 

Loyalty of Langstreth, The 

Love Letters of a Worldly Woman., 

Lucy’s Wonderful Globe 

Lowell’s Poems 

Lucile 

Madame Sans-Gene 

Maggie Miller 

Marble Faun 

Maid, Wife or Widow 

Makers of Venice 

Mari from Wall Street 

Man in Black 

Marmion 

Micah Clarke 

M eado wbrook 

Miss Milne and I 

Modern Quixote, A 

Moss-Side 

Mosses from an Old Manse 

Mortgage Foreclosed, The 

Mother’s Cook Book 

Macaria 

Minister’s Wooing 

Mrs. Caudle’s Curtain Lectures 

My Lady’s Money 

Mysterious Juror 

Nameless Love 

Natural Law in the Spiritual World 

Not Like Other Girls 

Now or Never 

Octoroon, The 

Old California Days 

Ohlahoma Scout, The 

Origin of Species 

Past and Present 

Paradise Lost 

Pathfinder 

Paul and Virginia 

Peck’s Boss Book 

Perfume of the Violet, The 

Peter Simple 

Pilgrim’s Progress 

Pioneers 

Plain Tales from the Hills 

Pleasures of Life 

Poe’s Poems 

Poe’s Tales 

Polite Life and Etiquette 

Prisoners and Captives 

Pride and Prejudice 

Prima Donna of the Slums, The 

Prince of the House of David 

Princess 

Poor and Proud 

Professor at the Breakfast Table. . . . 

Prairie, The. 

Prue and I 

Queen of the Air 


Mary Jane Holmes 

Edwin Arnold 

Rudyard Kipling 

Laura B. Marsh 

M. Quad 

.Miss Mulock 

Alfred Tennyson 

.Henry W. Longfellow 

R. D. Blackmore 

Arseme Houssaye 

John R. V Gilliat 

Mrs. W. K. Clifford 

Charlotte M. Yonge 

..James Russell Lowell 

Owen Meredith 

...;.. . Victorien Sardou 

Mary Jane Holmes 

..Nathaniel Hawthorne 

Mrs. Alexander 

Mrs. Oliphant 

...St. George Rathbone 

Stanley T. Weyman 

Sir V/alter Scott 

A. Conan Doyle 

Mary Jane Holmes 

Iota 

S. C. McCay 

Marion Harland 

..Nathaniel Hawthorne 

E. H. Thayer 

Harland 

Augusta J. Evans 

Harriet Beecher Stowe 

Douglas Jerrold 

Wilkie Collins 

Du Boisgobey 

Charles Lomon 

Henry Drummond 

Rosa N. Carey 

Oliver Optic 

Miss M. E. Braddon 

James Steel 

Theo. Baughman 

Darwin 

..Thomas Carlyle 

John Milton 

■. ...J. Fenimore Cooper 

Saint Pierre 

George W. Peck 

Frank H. Howe 

Capt. Marryat 

John Bunyan 

. ...J. Fenimore Cooper 

Rudyard Kipling 

Sir John Lubbock 

Edgar Allan Poe 

Edgar Allan Poe 


.Henry Seton Merriman 

Jane Austen 

Stanley McKenna 

....Rev. J. H. Ingraham 

Alfred Tennyson 

Oliver Optic 

Oliver Wendell Holmes 

J. Fenimore Cooper 

..George William Curtis 
John Ruskin 


304 . 

305 . 

307 . 

308 . 

309 . 

312 . 

313 . 

314 . 

315 . 
322 . 

326 . 

327 . 

328 . 

329 . 

330 . 

331 . 

332 . 

333 . 

334 . 

335 . 

336 . 

337 . 

338 . 

339 . 

340 . 

341 . 

342 . 

343 . 
844 . 
345 . 
846 . 

347 . 

348 . 

349 . 

350 . 

351 . 

352 . 

353 . 

854 . 

855 . 

856 . 

357 . 

358 . 
859 . 

360 . 

361 . 

362 . 
364 

365 . 

366 . 

367 . 

368 . 

369 . 

370 . 

371 . 

372 . 

373 . 

374 . 

375 . 

376 . 

377 . 

378 . 

379 . 

380 . 

381 . 

382 . 

383 . 
391 . 


OXFORD AND HOMEWOOD SERIES— Continued 


Rab and His Friends 

Representative Men 

Revenge of Circe 

Reveries of a Bachelor 

Robinson Crusoe 

Rifle Rangers 

Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam 

Rosmond 

Royal Robber, The 

Scalp Hunters 

Six to Sixteen 

Samantha at Saratoga 

Sartor Resartus . . 

Scarlet Letter, The 

Self Raised, or From the Depths 

Seneca’s Morals. . . ; 

Sesame and Lilies 

Shadow of a Sin . . 

She’s All the World to Me 

Ships That Pass in the Night 

Sign of the Four 

Single Heart and Double Face 

Singularly Deluded 

Six Gray Powders, The 

Sketch Book, The 

Snow Image, The 

•Squire’s Darling 

Stickit Minister, The 

Stories from the French 

Story of an African Farm 

Strange Case of Henry Toplass 

Stronger than Death 

Study in Scarlet 

Swiss Family Robinson 

Tales from Shakespeare 

Tales from the Odyssey 

Tales from Tennyson 

Tangle wood Tales 

Three Men in a Boat 

Thelma 

Through the Looking Glass 

Tom Brown at Oxford 

Tom Brown’s School Days 

Treasure Island. 

True and Beautiful 

Try Again 

Tempest and Sunshine 

Twice Told Tales 

Under the Maples 

Uncle Tom’s Cabin 

Vashti and Esther 

Vicar of Wakefield 

Voyage of the Sunbeam 

Water Babies 

Wedded and Parted 

What Will the World Say? 

What Would You Do, Love? 

Whittier’s Poems 

White Company, The 

Wicked Girl, A 

Wide, Wide World 

Williams Brothers 

Window in Thrums 

Wit, Humor and Pathos 

Wonder Book, The 

Yellow Aster, The 

Youngest Soldier of the Grand Army 
Zoe 


Dr. John Brown 

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Alexina Lorqugen 

(Ik Marvel) Donald G. Mitchell 

Daniel De Foe 

Capt. Mayne Reid 

Edward Eitzgerald 

Mary J. Holmes 

....Herbert Rau 

Capt. Mayne Reid 

Mrs. Juliana H. Ewing 

Josiah Allen’s Wife 

Thomas Carlyle 

Nathaniel Hawthorne 

...Mrs. E. D. E. N. South worth 

Sir Roger L’Estrange 

John Ruskin 

Bertha M. Clay 

Hall Caine 

Beatrice Harraden 

A. Conan Doyle 

Charles Reade 

Sarah Grand 

Mrs. Henry Hood 

Washington Irving 

Nathaniel Hawthorne 

Bertha M. Clay 

S. R. Crockett 

Guy de Maupassant and others 
...(Ralph Iron) Olive Schreiner 

John W. Postgate 

..Emile Richebourg 

A. Conan Doyle 

J. D. and J. R. Wyss 

......Charles and Mary Lamb 

— Walter C. Perry 

G. C. Allen 

Nathaniel Hawthorne 

Jerome K. Jerome 

Marie Corelli 

Lewis Carroll 

Thomas Hughes 

Thomas Hughes 

........Robert Louis Stevenson 

John Ruskin 

Oliver Optic 

Mary Jane Holmes 

Nathaniel Hawthorne 

Walter N. Hinman 

Harriet Beecher Stowe 

Author of Belle’s Letters 

Oliver Goldsmith 

Lady Brassey 

Charles Kingsley 

Bertha M. Clay 

Mary Jane Holmes 

Mary Jane Holmes 

John Greenleaf Whittier 

A, Conan Doyle 

Mary Cecil Hay 

Susan Warner 

Adrian Percy 

J. M. Barrie 

Eli Perkins 

Nathaniel Hawthorne 

Iota 

Du Boisgobey 

Author of Laddie 








.1 









0 ^ 





- ■ '"b o’^ 

1 

o 0> ^ 

y ^ y ^ 

%/*=. «o>" / , .„ e-/* 

'• o.^ 






-4 oV 



e» 

, V I 8 ^ .0‘ C 0 *' 


-M 



!/• 

• v>; ’'v'* 

av "'o .r 




c 

o o' 




-x ♦ jm^ ._ % / * 


j, 


> ^ 


</> 



V 


7 ^ 
o 

^ , o ' ^ 0 " <• ' . w .. --? 

V . 


^t( t'Sl C^ -i O 

^.t-v ^ ^ 


- *^0 o"^ *= 



X 


--c. ' 

'''^ "i 0 

'^' * " " ° o'^° 





> KV 

a* 

^ .mm- <^'1; -msm^ 


^ '. aip . 

V ^ i> *53 t?*' < o » ^ V 

O.N ^ ^ . X .A> 











.0^ " 7^' \ ’ s. ' .0^ . 

•X'^ ^ 7<’ ,x. <i'^^ ^ 

^p A''^^ " ^ki/k - 

c.^ C ,'\\^’ '^.n. o % 


^ ‘X- 


s- 


0^' '^/> C. ({/,\ 

' ^ V 

ri<* ^ *^S ^ •i 

Vj «- 5 Sy\ ^ 





«: 


V - T- ^ 

* %.,<❖''' 






>-’v'"’..-.,'V-""y,,. 

-- ■ '^s-v- *-' •• 

‘V . S <\ i^OnA*^ ^ I ^ ^ S 

'' A. >!>’* -' 

’ ' '* '7s' • • '77 " ^ " ’7^! ' * o77^">°’s' • • 




- * kS -A 

' 7 . ' 0 , X ■* ^ 7 

0*^' *‘°-«x'^ 


"bo' 



.0 o 

\ 




